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SpaceX problem: Just after sending its Falcon 9 capsule into space, SpaceX reported a problem with its thrusters.
SpaceX said its cargo ship that was sent to the International Space Station loaded with more than a ton of equipment hit a snag with the capsule’s thrusters equipment, delaying the deployment of its solar arrays. The vessel reached orbit on Friday.
“It appears that although it reached Earth orbit, Dragon is experiencing some type of problem right now,” said John Insprucker, the Falcon 9 director, according to the Los Angeles Times. “We’ll have to learn the nature of what happened.”
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, tweeted there was an “issue with Dragon thruster pods.” Flight controllers attempted to override the Falcon’s systems.
SpaceX spokeswoman Christina Ra told NBC News that after overriding the onboard computer, the solar arrays were eventually deployed.
“One thruster pod is running,” she said in an e-mail. “We are trying to bring up the remaining three. We did go ahead and get the solar arrays deployed. Once we get at least two pods running, we will begin a series of burns to get to station.”
The commercial spacecraft ran into the issue just after it launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Friday morning, reported The Associated Press.
The Falcon is carrying needed science equipment, crew supplies, and other parts to the Space Station. SpaceX later sent out a statement about the Falcon’s thrusters—crucial for the spacecraft in getting to its destination.
“One thruster pod is running. Two are preferred to take the next step which is to deploy the solar arrays. We are working to bring up the other two in order to plan the next series of burns to get to station,” the company said, according to the Times.
SpaceX has a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to provide shipments to the Space Station.
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