Software glitch blamed for Alpha launch mishap
Posted: Sat, Feb 24, 2024, 9:41 AM ET (1441 GMT)
A software glitch caused a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket to strand its payload in a low orbit on a December launch. The company said Tuesday that its investigation concluded that the Alpha's second stage failed to properly complete a second burn on a Dec. 22 launch because of an error in the vehicle's guidance, navigation and control software. That left the payload, a Lockheed Martin technology demonstration satellite, in an orbit with a perigee of only about 215 kilometers. The spacecraft was able to complete most of its planned mission before reentering earlier this month. Firefly said it expects to resume Alpha launches in the "coming months" but did not offer a more specific timeframe.
A software glitch caused a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket to strand its payload in a low orbit on a December launch. The company said Tuesday that its investigation concluded that the Alpha's second stage failed to properly complete a second burn on a Dec. 22 launch because of an error in the vehicle's guidance, navigation and control software. That left the payload, a Lockheed Martin technology demonstration satellite, in an orbit with a perigee of only about 215 kilometers. The spacecraft was able to complete most of its planned mission before reentering earlier this month. Firefly said it expects to resume Alpha launches in the "coming months" but did not offer a more specific timeframe.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
FAA restricts hours for commercial launches during shutdown
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:05 AM ET (1405 GMT) China postpones Shenzhou-20 return on orbital debris concerns
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:58 AM ET (1358 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, November 13
Firefly Aerospace identifies cause of Alpha test anomaly
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 4:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Firefly Plans Alpha Pad Return For Lockheed Martin Demo By Early 2026
Aviation Week — 4:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Alpha launch expectations lift Firefly despite Q3 losses
Austin (TX) American-Statesman — 4:11 am ET (0911 GMT) The Bright Side: Scientists witness supernova's early stages for the first time
France 24 — 4:09 am ET (0909 GMT) France steps into the space race
Defence24 — 4:06 am ET (0906 GMT) |
