Argo says first spacecraft mission ended prematurely

(SpaceEnergy) Argo Space has disclosed that its first orbital spacecraft mission ended prematurely, although the company validated power generation and several core spacecraft systems before losing the vehicle.

The Argonaut Demo flight test was deployed in July as the first spacecraft from Argo Space, which is developing reusable, refuellable in-space transport vehicles using water propulsion.

Argo said the spacecraft successfully separated from its launch vehicle, was acquired by operators, transmitted telemetry to the company’s headquarters and responded to commands. The team also operated its attitude determination and control system, including reaction wheels and torque rods, and generated electrical power through the solar array.

The company said it did not complete all mission objectives because the flight ended early. It did not disclose the cause or timing of the loss, but said it is conducting an anomaly investigation with data supplied by industry and US government partners.

Flight data are being incorporated into Argo’s next spacecraft. The company’s planned Navigator vehicle is intended to demonstrate its high-efficiency water propulsion, propellant and thermal management and beyond-low-Earth-orbit navigation, with commercial payload transport from low Earth orbit to geostationary orbit.

Argo has not reported an in-orbit demonstration of its water propulsion or refuelling capability from the Argonaut Demo mission.