Chantilly, USA – August 28, 1997 – NASA flight controllers in Chantilly, Va. report that the Lewis remote sensing satellite launched last Friday is tumbling out of control and the mission possibly lost. Space engineers reported that at 6 am Tuesday data sent down from Lewis indicated the satellite had started spinning rapidly, up to two revolutions per minute. As a result of the spinning, the spacecraft's power-producing solar panels were unable to generate full electrical power. With the satellite dependent upon its onboard batteries to make up the difference, the batteries were drained down below their minimum critical levels. NASA tried and failed four additional times to communicate with the satellite.
Legacy Reports
Lewis Satellite Out of Control
Chantilly, USA - August 28, 1997 - NASA flight controllers in Chantilly, Va. report that the Lewis remote sensing satellite launched last Friday is tumbling out of control and the mission possibly lost.