NASA Lunar Orbiter Solves Snag After Successful Launch
The LADEE spacecraft, which began its trip to the moon last night in a launch from Virginia’s coast, has run into some mechanical problems, NASA says. Officials say the robotic orbiter remains on track, however, and its problems can be resolved before it reaches the moon next month.
“Team members are analyzing a situation with LADEE’s reaction wheels, but say the spacecraft is communicating and working as designed, with plenty of time to resolve the issue before reaching lunar orbit,” NASA says.
Update at 12:30 p.m. ET: Issue Is Resolved, NASA Says
In an update posted to Twitter, S. Peter Worden, director of NASA’s Ames Center, says that the problem has been fixed.
“It appears the @NASALADEE start up issues have been resolved. Guess we just had to burp the baby”
More: NASA Lunar Orbiter Solves Snag After Successful Launch : The Two-Way : NPR