时间:2025-04-03 10:38:17 来源:网络整理编辑:探索
Just call it Schrödinger's rocket launch.A classified government mission launched to space atop
Just call it Schrödinger's rocket launch.
A classified government mission launched to space atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket may or may not be functioning in orbit after its Sunday night launch from Florida; but aside from some rumors and anonymous quotes, we really don't know what's going on with the U.S.'s secret satellite.
SEE ALSO:SpaceX launches secret government mission, brings rocket back in for a landingAccording to anonymous sources quoted in stories published in the Wall Street Journaland Bloomberg, the mission — codenamed Zuma — appears to have failed to separate from the rocket as expected after launch.
Zuma is "presumed to be a total loss," according to the Wall Street Journal.
For its part, SpaceX is taking none of the blame for the possible failure, with company president Gwynne Shotwell releasing a statement saying that "after review of all data to date, Falcon 9 did everything correctly on Sunday night."
Via GiphyShotwell added: "If we or others find otherwise based on further review, we will report it immediately. Information published that is contrary to this statement is categorically false. Due to the classified nature of the payload, no further comment is possible."
Northrop Grumman, the company that purchased the SpaceX launch for the Zuma payload on the government's behalf, was also unable to comment on the state of the satellite due to the fact that it's classified.
Space Track — which tracks and catalogues objects in orbit — did create an entry for Zuma, implying that the spacecraft completed at least one orbit, according to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, but it's still possible that Zuma failed afterwards.
McDowell also added that Space Track made a mistake in its addition of Zuma to the catalog.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Ultimately, the truth of the government's secret satellite remains a mystery and it's probably going to stay that way.
The government agency responsible for launching the spacecraft hasn't claimed it, which is somewhat odd. Even the National Reconnaissance Office, responsible for U.S. spy satellites, usually claims its secret launches.
Unclaimed launches aren't unprecedented, however.
In 2009 and 2014, two missions, called PAN and CLIO were unclaimed when launched. Eventually, it was revealed that PAN was actually intercepting communications above the Middle East for the National Security Agency.
Via GiphyZuma's launch was aired live via webcast by SpaceX, though the company cut away after the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket came back in for a landing.
At that time, the company reported that everything had gone well with the rocket.
Hopefully, for SpaceX's sake, that's true. The company has a busy year ahead of it, with dozens of launches on the books and its upcoming maiden flight of the Falcon Heavy rocket, designed to being large payloads to orbit and beyond.
If there were a problem with the Falcon 9 during this launch, it's likely that SpaceX would stand down its launch schedule and wait for a thorough review, but because they've found no problems to date, the company is claiming that it's pressing ahead.
"Since the data reviewed so far indicates that no design, operational or other changes are needed, we do not anticipate any impact on the upcoming launch schedule," Shotwell said.
"Falcon Heavy has been rolled out to launchpad LC-39A for a static fire later this week, to be followed shortly thereafter by its maiden flight. We are also preparing for an F9 launch for SES and the Luxembourg Government from SLC-40 in three weeks."
TopicsSpaceXGovernment
Tesla's rumored P100D could make Ludicrous mode even more Ludicrous2025-04-03 10:37
急壞了!內馬爾遊戲賬號被封 社媒發聲求官方解鎖2025-04-03 10:03
阿曼足協主席:對戰勝中國隊有絕對信心 寄望定位球高空轟炸2025-04-03 09:51
李鐵:要想盡辦法贏球保住出線希望 球員求戰欲望強烈2025-04-03 09:32
This weird squid looks like it has googly eyes, guys2025-04-03 09:28
海港新星劉祝潤:武磊是我努力的方向 走過彎路更知珍惜2025-04-03 08:42
若索帥下課誰能立即接手曼聯?英媒:齊達內勒夫皆可2025-04-03 08:42
曝索帥不滿馬奎爾表現 冬窗欲砸8千萬截胡藍軍獵物2025-04-03 08:36
Honda's all2025-04-03 08:32
維拉官方:傑拉德出任球隊新帥 雙方簽約三年半2025-04-03 08:24
Give your kitchen sponge a rest on this adorable bed2025-04-03 10:16
李毅:國足對陣阿曼是最難踢的 綜合來看五五開2025-04-03 10:12
2021年報銷!曝博格巴傷缺8至10周 短期無法回歸2025-04-03 09:39
範誌毅:肯定支持和理解李鐵 預測對陣阿曼12025-04-03 09:31
This chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jump2025-04-03 09:18
名記:曼聯從未過聯係其他教練 索帥仍獲高層信任2025-04-03 09:08
孫興慜:為國征戰是一種榮幸 長途旅行勞累都是借口2025-04-03 09:03
官方:賴斯因病退出本期英格蘭隊 芒特盧克肖接受評估2025-04-03 08:50
Teacher absolutely nails it with new homework policy2025-04-03 08:34
國足兩場比賽看台開放期待勝利 當地華僑全力助威2025-04-03 07:52