Failure
Pegasus XL | High Energy Transient Explorer (HETE) & Satelite de Aplicaciones Cientificas-B (SAC-B)
Orbital Sciences Corporation(OSC)Commercial
Pegasus XL
Monday, November 4, 1996 at 5:08 PM
Mission details
Orbital Attempt
#4,106
OSC Mission
#15
Pad Launch
#1
Location Launch
#14
Designator
1996-061
Launch Window
NET
Nov 4, 1996, 5:08 PM
Precision
Second
Schedule Changes
1 update
Air launch to orbit
Total Launches
51
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
37.9386, -75.4572
Status Details
Failure Reason
Battery failure in the Pegasus XL rocket third stage, satellites did not separate from third stage.
Pegasus XL Specs
The Pegasus is an air-launched rocket developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now part of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems). Capable of carrying small payloads of up to 443 kilograms (977 lb) into low Earth orbit, the vehicle consists of three solid propellant stages and an optional monopropellant fourth stage. Pegasus is released from its carrier aircraft at approximately 40,000 ft (12,000 m), and its first stage has a wing and a tail to provide lift and attitude control while in the atmosphere.
Length
17.6 m
Diameter
1.27 m
Launch Mass
23 t
Thrust
580 kN
LEO Capacity
443 kg
GTO Capacity
0 kg
Launch Cost
$40M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1994
Fastest Turnaround
6d 6h
Total Launches
31
Successful
28
Failed
3
Consecutive Success
25
Maiden flight: Jun 27, 1994
