The robot NASA hired to lift a orbital telescope is tumbling out of control

https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/28/the-robot-nasa-hired-to-lift-a-orbital-telescope-is-tumbling-out-of-control/

25 points · 5 comments · view on lemmy.world

5 Comments

Earthling105b@midwest.social · 7 pts · 26d (1 reply)

Hopefully they can get it stabilized to try and complete the mission. The space telescope they are going for will re-enter the atmosphere either way so it’s worth a shot. This is a cool mission, especially since this will probably be the last air-launched orbital space mission we will see for a long time, maybe ever.

burble@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 26d

Idk, sporadic comms, down to 1/3 reaction wheels, and prop problems... Using their electric thrusters to null rotation sounds like not a good time. I'm not optimistic.

burble@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 5 pts · 26d (1 reply)

I feel like it's more surprising that this random startup with no track record got the contract in the first place. Like, of course their first satellite has some issues. This would have been an ambitious mission even for a proven company.

I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 26d

Welcome to the Age of Grift.

kayzeekayzee@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 26d

It's called a space beyblade