Launch provider Virgin Orbit has disclosed the probable cause of the failure that destroyed the high-profile “Start Me Up” launch and its nine small payloads: a dislodged fuel filter.
LauncherOne under Boeing 747 Cosmic Girl. Courtesy: Virgin Orbit/Greg Robinson
The Cosmic Girl carrier aircraft took off for the first orbital attempt from the UK slightly earlier than planned at 2202 GMT on 9 January and reached its target altitude of 35,000 feet. It air-dropped LauncherOne at approximately 2311 GMT over the Atlantic Ocean, south of southern Ireland.
The first stage was ignited and fired successfully for the correct duration, and it separated as planned. This was followed by a successful initial second stage burn. However, the second stage’s Newton Four engine – which ignited initially for a second burn – failed so that orbital velocity was not achieved. The engine and the remaining satellites fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
An investigation found that a dislodged fuel filter was the cause of the ensuing damage. The filter was detected during the flight and its movement downstream in the second-stage engine was the likely cause of the failure. Specifically, it was noted that a fuel turbopump had stopped working efficiently, starving fuel to the Newton Four engine. There was also a significant rise in engine temperature. Eventually the engine was shut down during its first firing. The underlying cause of the failure is still being investigated.
