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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, April 10
Amazon Leo to Launch 'Mid-2026,' CEO Hints at Lower Price Than Starlink
PC Magazine — 6:24 am ET (1024 GMT) Amazon’s Starlink competitor Leo gets a new date
The Verge — 6:23 am ET (1023 GMT) Space Force Picks 14 Firms to Compete to Build Reconnaissance Satellites
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:22 am ET (1022 GMT) Oxygen made from Moon dust for first time
The Daily Telegraph — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) This founder helped build SpaceX’s most powerful rocket engine. Now he’s building a ‘fighter jet for orbit.’
TechCrunch — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) |
