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Space Startup Fixes OTV Glitch Mid-Flight
19 Oct
Summary
- OSSIE-D OTV experienced a communications blackout post-launch.
- UARX Space remotely enabled automated payload deployment.
- Communications were restored, confirming successful payload releases.
Spanish startup UARX Space has resolved an anomaly encountered during the maiden flight of its OSSIE-D orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), launched on October 1, 2026. The OTV experienced an immediate communications blackout after liftoff. To ensure customer missions were not jeopardized, UARX remotely activated an automated fault detection, isolation, and recovery system for payload deployment.
Two days post-launch, UARX sent a command for payload release, but without confirmed two-way communication, the outcome was uncertain. This decision prioritized customer missions given the OTV's battery life. UARX has since identified the communication issue as a ground station service configuration error, which has been corrected, restoring nominal communication.
With communications re-established, UARX successfully retrieved deployment telemetry, confirming that commands were received and all deployments were executed as planned. At least 10 PocketQubes have been deployed, with additional satellites scheduled for future release. Among the deployed payloads are PocketQubes from AMSAT-Deutschland, with two of their three satellites now operational.
