The private European company Exploration Company stated that the launch of its Mission Possible, which took place last night, was partially successful. However, they admitted that the capsule was lost during the attempt to splash down, and all of its cargo went down with it.
Partially successful launch
Representatives of Exploration Company stated that the launch of the Mission Possible capsule was partially successful. The 1.6-ton device, manufactured by this private European company, was launched into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-14 mission.
The launch took place at 5:25 p.m. Eastern June 23. Several other spacecraft were launched into orbit along with the European capsule. Two hours and 45 minutes after launch, the payload was scheduled to deploy, after which it was to enter the atmosphere and make a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Mission Possible successfully completed all space flight stages. However, there was a malfunction during the descent, but the spacecraft was able to reestablish communication with the control center. However, just before landing, communication was lost again, and it later became known that the capsule was missing.
Mission results
Whether Mission Possible can be considered a success or not is a matter of debate. This is the Exploration Company’s second attempt at a test flight. The first was a very small device called Mission Bikini. It was launched in July 2024. However, it was unable to separate from the upper stage of the Ariane 6 rocket and remained in orbit.
Mission Possible is a much more ambitious attempt to test all the technologies needed for operating in orbit and returning to Earth. This time, there was 300 kg of payload on board, ranging from pharmaceutical experiments to bottles of alcohol, and now all of it is lost along with the capsule.
The ultimate goal of all this should be the launch of the full-fledged Nyx cargo spacecraft to the ISS, which was planned for 2028. And Mission Possible was supposed to be the final test before it. However, now company representatives say that another demonstration flight may take place before commercial use begins.
According to spacenews.com
