Inquiry Finds Cable Clip to Blame For Telstar 14R Deployment Failure

摘要

The May 21 solar array deployment failure on the Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 telecommunications satellite was caused when a small clip holding the array's graphite cabling in place came loose, allowing the cable to swing wildly and snag on a piece of metal used to hold the array in folded position against the satellite's body during launch, an independent board of inquiry has determined. The stress on the cabling from the deployment energy built up and eventually forced the cable to snap, and also caused a piece of the solar panel to break off, the inquiry board concluded. As a result, the north solar array will be almost useless, causing satellite owner Telesat of Canada to rely exclusively on the south array, which deployed normally, to operate Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2.