Two spacecraft launched just days ago are experiencing serious technical issues, highlighting the unpredictable nature of space exploration. NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer and Astroforge’s Odin were both carried into orbit by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 26.
NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer, designed to search for water on the Moon, encountered power problems shortly after deployment. Communication was lost with the spacecraft within hours, but engineers managed to reestablish contact several hours later. The issue has left engineers working urgently to diagnose and fix the problem.
The mission is classified as “high-risk, low-cost,” costing $94 million despite being under a budget of $55 million. NASA acknowledges that cost-effective missions come with greater risks due to lighter oversight and management compared to larger projects.
Astroforge’s Odin probe is facing serious communication issues that could jeopardize its asteroid-mining test mission. The issue stems from a ground-based power amplifier failure, which disrupted communication with the spacecraft. Despite these issues, Astroforge believes Odin is still operational, with the spacecraft appearing to be in a “power-positive state.”
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/two-newly-launched-space-probes-are-already-in-trouble