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Zuma Satellite Reportedly Destroyed Following 1/8/18 Launch By SpaceX

Discussion in 'SpaceX' started by TMC Staff, Jan 9, 2018.

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  1. SMAlset

    SMAlset Well-Known Member

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  2. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

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    #182 Grendal, Apr 9, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2018
    This article doesn't seem to be behind a paywall:
    Zuma satellite plunged after SpaceX launch because of Northrop Grumman errors, report says

    The implication from the article is what was reported early on: that the payload adapter failed and the satellite did not separate from the second stage. The only thing that surprises me about this is that I don't understand why they wouldn't have left the second stage in orbit to try and correct the issue. I'd love to hear the details but the classified nature of the launch will probably prevent that from happening.

    The Verge's article by Loren Grush (who is a big SpaceX fan) gives a smackdown on Northrup Grumman for the failure and brings up the delays with the James Webb Space Telescope.

    SpaceX isn’t responsible for loss of Zuma spy satellite, WSJ report confirms
     
    • Informative x 1
  3. ecarfan

    ecarfan Well-Known Member

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    #183 ecarfan, Apr 9, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2018
    Quote From this article Northrop Grumman, not SpaceX, reported to be at fault for loss of top-secret Zuma satellite

    “The investigations tentatively concluded that onboard sensors did not immediately communicate to ground systems that the satellite did not separate from the rocket, according to the Journal. Unbeknownst to officials at the time, the planned return of the rocket's upper stage — a method of disposal to avoid adding space debris around the Earth — brought the satellite back down with it. By the time the satellite separated from the rocket it was too late, putting Zuma too low in orbit to save, according to the report.”

    So maybe the sensors falsely indicated that separation had occurred? Because otherwise the de-orbit would not have been initiated. It’s not entirely clear to me. If the sensors did not indicate to that separation had occurred, what did they indicate?
     
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  4. Doug_G

    Doug_G Lead Moderator

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    That explains all the finger pointing that was going on.
     
  5. ccutrer

    ccutrer Active Member

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    If only SpaceX could have shown the camera view of the satellite separation during the livestream, this all would have been obvious</troll>

    No, but really. Did they not have a camera on the satellite from the second stage, watching it separate?
     
  6. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    Possibly not, due to the security aspect. However, it does seem the amount of thruster usage/ time to rotate needed for the de-orbit maneuver could have indicated the mass of the second stage was not as expected. Unless it was some weird situation where they were physically separated, but linked by an umbilical. Or, more likely, parameters like that are not closely monitored after (expected) payload separation.
     
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  7. Pricee2

    Pricee2 Member

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    Did they find Zuma yet?
     
  8. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

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    No. It's classified. The belief is that the satellite did not disconnect from stage two due to a fault with the connector. The connector was controlled by NG and SpaceX was excluded from touching it.
     
  9. Piney999

    Piney999 Member

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    The "Belief is" ;)
     
  10. SO16

    SO16 Active Member

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    Directly over your house!
     
  11. Pricee2

    Pricee2 Member

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    My belief is that SO_S90D is most likely to have the answer that is closest to the truth..
     
  12. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

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    No news at all about this suggests, to me, that Zuma was destroyed as most have reported. Anything else borders on a conspiracy theory.
     
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  13. Graffi

    Graffi Member

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    Just because you call it a "Conspiracy Theory" does not mean the Government is not watching you. JMHO
     
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