SpaceX suffers deployment malfunction
December 11, 2023
Earlier in November SpaceX launched one of its regular ‘Rideshare/Transporter’ missions when it carries dozens of smaller satellites into space.
It now appears that the November 11th launch suffered a glitch in safely deploying three small satellites for Momentus. San Jose-based Momentus, which offers clients in-space infrastructure services, including in-space transportation, hosted payloads and in-orbit services, says that the three satellites – of five that Momentus was responsible for – failed to deploy.
The other two, for Turkey’s ‘Hello Space’, were deployed accurately. Momentus uses its own deplyment mechanism which is independent of SpaceX.
“Momentus cannot confirm the deployment of the remaining three satellites for three other customers and based on the results of a detailed investigation undertaken, the company does not believe those satellites were released from the third-party deployer system,” Momentus stated.
Momentus is already planning its next two missions in June and October next year and is taking bookings from its clients.
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