Imma Perfetto
Cosmos science journalist
South Australian satellite Kanyini’s highly anticipated launch has been delayed following an incident during the SpaceX Starlink Group 9-3 mission last month.
After a successful launch from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on July 11, the Falcon 9 rocket experienced a rare failure of its second stage, which normally fires up to deliver satellites to their intended orbit.
In a post on X, Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, described what occurred as a “RUD” or “rapid unscheduled disassembly” – an explosion, basically.
SpaceX clarified the issue originated from a leak of one of the rocket propellants, liquid oxygen.
Kanyini was slated for launch this month aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 11 Rideshare mission, in which Falcon 9 delivers a payload of small spacecrafts (SmallSats) to orbit.
“We’re the next launch in line at Vandenberg, but until they figure out what that problem is, we don’t really have a launch date,” Kanyini Mission Supervisor Sarah Cannard told Cosmos at the 17th Australian Space Forum in Adelaide.
“SpaceX are working closely with the [US Federal Aviation Administration] … it’s just a matter of them fixing it, and then we’ll be up and away.
“We’ve got a lot of faith in SpaceX – their success rate is phenomenal.”
The mandatory mishap investigation will determine the root cause of the incident and identify any corrective actions necessary to ensure the success of future missions. In a statement to spaceflightnow.com on July 16, the FAA said SpaceX was seeking a public safety determination which would allow them to resume launches while the investigation continues.
On July 24, spacecoastdaily.com reported SpaceX has scheduled a July 26 Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
However, in a statement to Cosmos the FAA said: “SpaceX’s license remains active and allows for the completion of pre-flight activities. SpaceX may not resume flight prior to the FAA’s safe return to flight determination.”
Until that point when the Transporter 11 Mission is rescheduled, the team working tirelessly on Kanyini has been given some much-needed breathing space.
“I think with the launch date slipping it’s a bit of a double-edged sword,” says Cannard.
“So, for us, I think it’s probably been more of an advantage than a disadvantage in that it’s given us more time to wrap up some of the loose ends.
“The team in particular have just been flat out for 3 years straight. They have done a brilliant, amazing job.
“To give them the luxury of a week, a month, whatever it happens to be to take a deep breath, regain some energy and be ready for operations which is again going to be full on.
“It does come with some disadvantages as well. But, overall, I feel like the team has benefited more.”
