The launch of the first satellite in the Earth Observing System (EOS), the centrepiece of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth programme, has been delayed by at least six months after the discovery of a series of ground control software faults.
Faults in the EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) are now expected to delay the launch from June to "at least the end of the year", says NASA. Around another 10 EOS craft are to be launched in the controversial programme, which has suffered delays, budget cuts and specification changes.
The first 5,185kg spacecraft, the EOS AM-1, was due to have been launched from Vandenberg AFB, California, aboard an ILS International Launch Services Atlas 2AS, carrying 20 instruments to observe the Earth from polar orbit.
"Significant performance problems" were found in the EOSDIS control centre flight operations segment (FOS) that supports the command and control, spacecraft instrument health and safety, the planning and scheduling of instrument operations, and analysis of spacecraft trends and anomalies. The FOS was developed by Raytheon under contract to Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the EOS AM 1.
Programme managers expect it to take "several weeks" to understand clearly whether the best approach is to correct the software or to take other measures.
Source: Flight International
