What's Happening?
NASA is working to establish communication with its Athena EPIC satellite, launched on July 23 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Despite a successful deployment, the satellite has not yet sent the expected beacon signal for orbit tracking. Teams at NovaWurks data operations center are collaborating to identify the satellite's location and operational status, investigating the cause of the missed signal acquisition and delayed communication.
Why It's Important?
The Athena EPIC satellite represents a scalable design intended to support future missions through partnerships. Communication issues could impact the satellite's ability to fulfill its mission objectives, potentially affecting collaborations with partners like the U.S. Space Force and NOAA. Resolving these challenges is crucial for ensuring the satellite's operational success and advancing scalable satellite technologies.
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What's Next?
NASA and its partners will continue efforts to establish contact with Athena EPIC, analyzing received signals and investigating potential causes of communication delays. Updates will be provided on NASA's Small Satellite Mission Blog, as teams work to ensure the satellite's functionality and mission success.
