SpaceX isn't at fault for loss of Zuma Satellite

[Eduard the weeb]

original article from the Verge -  https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/9/17215016/spacex-falcon-9-zuma-spacecraft-northrop-grumman-payload-adapter

 

so back on January 7th SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 carrying this satellite, the satellite is believed to have been lost in between deployment and the reentry of the rocket, many blamed SpaceX the manufacturers of the rocket, however it appears that it was actually the payload adapter made by Northrop Grumman a military contractor failed not the rocket.

 

Quote

 

The Wall Street Journal confirms that theory. Its report notes that Zuma’s shape made it susceptible to damage from vibrations, so Northrop Grumman modified an adapter to make the spacecraft’s separation from the rocket more delicate. The adapter was tested three times before the flight, the WSJ says, but it didn’t work once in space. As a result, Zuma was dragged lower into the atmosphere by the rocket. It eventually separated from the rocket, according to the WSJ, but it was low and couldn’t be saved. Northrop Grumman did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.

please keep in mind that this satellite is believed to be a Spy Satellite that is estimated at 3.5 billion USD, also alot of details have been foggy sense this satellite is believed to be of military intent so sources have been anonymous so far.

[sazrocks]

1 minute ago, Eduard the weeb said:

the satellite is believed to have been lost

[Deus Voltage]

Yea I'm still not convinced by the official government story. I won't connect any dots either because we don't have concrete evidence to build on, just speculations. Really curious about what actually happened though. Makes me scratch my head every time. 

[Eduard the weeb]

@sazrocks

don't have to hide what no one thinks is there

[ItsMitch]

If there was a problem with the rocket spacex would of just cancelled all upcoming launches, tbh fairly obvious that Northrop Grumman fucked up the adapter.

[Taf the Ghost]

32 minutes ago, Deus Voltage said:

Yea I'm still not convinced by the official government story. I won't connect any dots either because we don't have concrete evidence to build on, just speculations. Really curious about what actually happened though. Makes me scratch my head every time. 

Most likely the adapter caused an issue that prevented the satellite from entering a proper orbit after it was released from the second stage. It likely made it up there, but without enough thrust to correct the miss. Thus, they might have deorbited it themselves. It would explain why some amateur telescopers have claimed to have seen it.

 

Or, the camera was so sensitive that the launch broke it and they've got a really, really expensive brick flying in orbit.

[XenosTech]

21 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

man that reminds me of the number of expensive bricks of vastly differing sizes we have in orbit ._.

Thought those were the lego pieces for the lego death star 

[Vanderburg]

I thought this was common knowledge within like 24 hours of the launch.

[NMS]

If SpaceX f'd up, Elon would've made a montage of it:D

[Eduard the weeb]

tbh if I was the government I would be hella pissed tho because it did cause 3.5 Billon and the rocket worked fine but the thing didn't launch on time like what the hell

[Taf the Ghost]

16 minutes ago, Eduard the weeb said:

tbh if I was the government I would be hella pissed tho because it did cause 3.5 Billon and the rocket worked fine but the thing didn't launch on time like what the hell

More pissed is likely Northrop's insurance carrier for the flight. Though these things happen, so it's built into most project approaches.

[MarbleHornets]

31 minutes ago, Eduard the weeb said:

tbh if I was the government I would be hella pissed tho because it did cause 3.5 Billon and the rocket worked fine but the thing didn't launch on time like what the hell

Its the government...money is irrelevant to them, they can just print more!

 

In all seriousness, I defiantly agree with you

[sophiewilson0191]

I have read an article about the SpaceX program.

And what do you think will happen next?

Edited April 11, 2018 by colonel_mortis
Link removed

[Energycore]

On 4/9/2018 at 8:09 PM, sazrocks said:

"lost"

Wouldn't it be funny if they faked its loss tricking people (more importantly, Russia and the Middle East) into believing that they don't have a 3.5bn satellite watching over them

[Tieox]

 

[sazrocks]

11 hours ago, Energycore said:

Wouldn't it be funny if they faked its loss tricking people (more importantly, Russia and the Middle East) into believing that they don't have a 3.5bn satellite watching over them

That was my point.

[dalekphalm]

11 hours ago, Energycore said:

Wouldn't it be funny if they faked its loss tricking people (more importantly, Russia and the Middle East) into believing that they don't have a 3.5bn satellite watching over them

I’m fairly sure that Russia, China, etc, had every lens at their disposal watching that thing anyway, so they would likely know if the US had lied and this was a ruse. 

[Taf the Ghost]

1 hour ago, dalekphalm said:

I’m fairly sure that Russia, China, etc, had every lens at their disposal watching that thing anyway, so they would likely know if the US had lied and this was a ruse. 

Stealth Satellites are a technology that exists, though we don't know how much it's been implemented. What the other major powers would have is a better idea if it went down before making orbit.

[TVwazhere]

On 4/9/2018 at 9:03 PM, Eduard the weeb said:

this satellite is believed to be a Spy Satellite that is estimated at 3.5 billion USD

Multi billion dollar satellite lost by a $1300 adapter

F