Trailblazer
Spacecraft · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: Manufacturer Image
American technology satellite built by SpaceDev for SpaceDev, ORS, USA. Launched 2008. Used MMB-100 Bus.
NASA NSSDC Master Catalog Description
Trailblazer is a mockup of an American, commercial lunar orbiter that was launched from Baikonur by a Dnepr rocket at 17:00 UT on December 2002, for testing the viability of the craft for orbiting the Moon. (Dnepr is a converted SS-18 ICBM.) If successful, these Lunar orbiters (and landers) will be launched in late 2003 through 2005. The company that sponsored the satellite "believes that there is a commercial demand for sending personal items, and burial ashes to the Moon".
More at: Trailblazer.
Subtopics
- DSE 1, 2, 3 Technology satellite built by SpaceDev for MDA. Used MMB-100 Bus.
- TrailBlazer 2001 Lunar lander for TransOrbital, Inc., USA. Used TrailBlazer Bus.
Related
- Family
- Technology, Technology satellite
- Country
- USA
- Launch Vehicles
- Falcon 1
- Launch Sites
- Kwajalein, Kwajalein OM
Photo Gallery
DSE 1
Credit: Manufacturer Image
TrailBlazer 2001
Credit: Manufacturer Image
Chronology
1 event
2008 August 3
03:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: Kwajalein OM. LV Family: Falcon. Launch Vehicle: Falcon 1. FAILURE: The new Merlin 1C first stage engine completed its burn, but the thrust took longer to decay than expected. It was still thrusting when stage 2 tried to separate, and the two stages collided, setting the second stage tumbling..- Trailblazer - . Nation: USA. Agency: SpaceX. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Trailblazer.