NASA is working to restore contact with the Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft after it lost communications shortly after its launch last week. The spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin and operated by Caltech, was launched as a secondary payload on a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the IM-2 lunar lander for Intuitive Machines. According to NASA, the spacecraft turned on its transmitter several hours after losing communications, but they do not have full telemetry or the ability to command it.
There were indications of “intermittent power system issues” at the time communication was lost. The team believes the spacecraft is spinning slowly in a low-power state based on telemetry before the loss of signal and ground-based radar data collected on March 2. This condition prevented the spacecraft from performing the trajectory correction maneuvers required for a flyby of the moon on March 3.
Lunar Trailblazer was intended to go into a low polar orbit to study the quantities and form of water on the moon.
Nasa’s ongoing recovery efforts
The team is now working on alternative strategies that could be used after reacquiring communications and establishing normal spacecraft functionality.
These strategies may still enable Lunar Trailblazer to enter lunar orbit and complete some of its science objectives. NASA associate administrator for science, Nicky Fox, said in a statement, “The Lunar Trailblazer team has been working around the clock to re-establish communications with the spacecraft. NASA sends up high-risk, high-reward missions like Lunar Trailblazer to do incredible science at a lower cost, and the team truly encapsulates the NASA innovative spirit — if anyone can bring Lunar Trailblazer back, it is them.”
The problem with Lunar Trailblazer is the latest setback for NASA’s Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program, which focuses on low-cost planetary science missions.
Other SIMPLEx missions have also faced challenges, including the ESCAPADE mission, which had to be rescheduled due to delays in the launch vehicle, and the LunaH-Map mission, which faced issues with a stuck valve in its propulsion system. NASA continues to work diligently to overcome these challenges and to fulfill the objectives of the Lunar Trailblazer mission. The agency did not specify how long it would attempt to reestablish communications and control of the spacecraft before potentially abandoning the effort.
Image Credits: Photo by NASA on Unsplash
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
