Tracking 28665 objects as of 19-Mar-2024
HD Live streaming from Space Station
objects crossing your sky now

Galileo launch failure blamed on frozen Fregat fuel line


Galileo launch failure blamed on frozen Fregat fuel line A design flaw in a Russian Fregat upper stage was responsible for the botched orbital injection of two European Galileo navigation satellites in August, officials said Wednesday, causing hydrazine fuel to freeze inside the rocket's maneuvering system and rendering it unable to point in the right direction during a critical engine burn. The frozen hydrazine propellant disrupted fuel flow to two thrusters that were supposed to control the orientation of the Fregat rocket stage as it coasted through space after liftoff Aug. 22. Engineers found that hydrazine fuel and super-cold helium pressurization lines were routed too close together and connected through a support structure that served as a thermal conduit, triggering the hydrazine to freeze and block the fuel line.    More



(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Oct 13)

comments powered by Disqus