Russia’s nanosatellite, SamSat-218, put into
orbit during the first launch from the newly built Vostochny cosmodrome,
has failed to establish radio contact with the mission control, Tass
news agency reported Wednesday citing a source in the rocket and space
industry. The satellite is reportedly the first-ever nanosatellite
designed by university students.
“No radio contact with the satellite has been
available since the launch time, most probably, because it failed to
switch on after orbiting,” the source told the Russian news agency.
A joint meeting of representatives involved in
the creation of the spaceport has been called for Wednesday to discuss
about additional attempts to establish radio contact with the satellite
or recognize it as lost, the source said.
The SamSat-218, which weighs just over three
pounds, was launched along with two other satellites — Aist-2D
and Lomonosov — using an unmanned Soyuz-2.1a rocket.
The Vostochny cosmodrome conducted its first launch
Thursday, a day after it was delayed following a technical problem.
Putin had criticized Russia’s space agency Roscosmos and authorities
after the initial launch was called off, saying “there should be an
appropriate reaction.”
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