MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax-AVN) - Dauria Aerospace hopes to be able to promptly eliminate the technical faults detected on its DX satellite in time for its launch.
"The DX1 satellite experienced technical problems at Baikonur but Dauria Aerospace engineers are dealing with them now and planning to finish the work without disrupting the pre-launch schedule," the company said in a statement on its website.
Routine pre-launch tests revealed that the DX1's on-board battery was not charged. Checks into the functioning of the satellite's electric systems showed a damaged contact cable in a section which is to receive the command for the satellite to be released by the upper stage. "The damage occurred as a result of the compression between the upper stage's adapter and the DX1 satellite while it was being mounted or transported, which resulted in short circuit and the accumulator battery being discharged," the statement said.
Currently, Dauria Aerospace specialists are busy replacing the contact cable. After this replacement, the satellite's batteries will be recharged and its electrical and other systems tested. This work is carried out urgently and must be finished within the schedule for preparing the Meteor-M Number 2 satellite and payloads.
"In that case the DX1 satellite will be launched as scheduled. If this fault has led to some other consequences, the satellite will be taken off the launch schedule and after being repaired delivered into space by another launch vehicle. If the satellite is taken off, a massive mockup of DX1 will be sent to Baikonur to replace the satellite to preserve the weight and dimensional characteristics of the upper stage with a cluster of satellites," the statement said.
The final decision as to whether the DX1 satellite is ready for the launch will be made before June 27.
Earlier Interfax-AVN reported that the technical faults found on the satellite may prevent Dauria's DX satellite, due to be launched along with the Meteor, from flying into orbit.