Breakdowns In Space. How Are They Fixed?

As humans try to unlock the mysteries of the universe the machines and tools they use are crucial. But of course, like all machines and tools technical difficulties can pose a challenge. Below are some of the technical difficulties currently facing the space industry.

Russia is building a second launch pad at Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Far East, according to Russian media outlets. The new launch pad, known as Site 1A will be used exclusively for Angara rocket launches. It is projected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Although construction of the Vostochny Cosmodrome began seven years ago, in 2011 it has been interrupted many times due to financial problems, corruption scandals, technical difficulties and even by workers striking.

Another technical difficulty causing delays is happening at NASA. The agency has delayed the James Webb Telescope for another ten months.

An Independent Review Board explained that the 29-month delay (from a targeted launch date of October 2018 to March 2021) was due to five factors: human error, embedded problems, excessive optimism, systems complexity, and a lack of experience in critical areas, including sunshade development.

This postponement is the latest in a series of delays for Webb, which NASA had initially planned to launch back in 2007.

Furthermore, the advanced Global Positioning System satellite has been crippled by four years of delivery delays. And now the launch of the first new satellite, which was initially set for April 2014, has been postponed yet again, as reported by the Air Force.

Lastly, CubeSats and other smallsats are moving from demonstrations of technology and student projects to fully functional missions, which help a growing variety of applications. However, both large and small companies must now work to improve their reliability.

This is especially important for Asgardia, who launched their own CubeSat in 2017, known as Asgardia-1.

Once a CubeSat is launched, it’s performance can often be sub-par. During a presentation at a pre-conference workshop Lee Jasper from the Space Dynamics Laboratory remarked that, historically, 22 percent of CubeSats were never heard from after launch. That figure is significantly higher in particular cases, including some classes of university-built CubeSats.

If you’d like to work toward improving technology in a way that makes living in space possible then join Asgardia today and let your voice be heard.