NASA has successfully reestablished communication with the SV1 satellite, part of its Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) mission, after encountering issues shortly after its launch on July 23, 2023. The announcement was made on September 11, 2023, marking a significant development in the mission aimed at studying the interaction between solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field.
After the launch, which took place aboard a Falcon 9 rideshare mission, SV1 experienced a power subsystem malfunction just two days later. This issue resulted in intermittent communication with mission controllers. In contrast, the second satellite, SV2, completed its post-launch commissioning without any reported problems. The situation with SV1 became more complex when it was noted on August 5 that it only operated when its solar arrays received direct sunlight, prompting controllers to strategize a recovery plan for later that month.
NASA’s latest statement indicates that the mission team is actively working to recover SV1 and initiate its scientific operations. Although the September update did not elaborate on the nature of the ongoing issues, it confirmed that mission partners and the satellite’s manufacturer, NovaWurks, have located SV1 and are collaborating to restore effective communications.
TRACERS is designed to operate with two satellites that study the same area of space within a two-minute interval. This dual approach is critical for achieving the mission’s scientific objectives. The loss of functionality in SV1 raises questions about how the mission’s goals may need to adapt if only one satellite remains operational.
While SV1 faced challenges, another payload from the same launch, the Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT), is performing well aboard the Bard satellite, built by York Space Systems. PExT is designed to test communications across various satellite networks, including NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system, and commercial services. As of September 9, 2023, NASA reported that the commissioning of Bard was complete, and PExT commissioning is expected to conclude by the end of September.
The successful reestablishment of contact with SV1 is a promising step forward for NASA and its mission objectives, as the organization continues to navigate the complexities of satellite operations in space. Further updates are anticipated as the mission team works diligently to address the remaining challenges.