A military satellite launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. is missing. Elan Mask’s SpaceX’s Falcon 9 lift off successfully from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Sunday carrying a classified payload code-named Zuma. The U.S. Strategic Command stated it wasn’t tracking any new satellites, an indication that the satellite somehow failed to deploy properly.
“After review of all data to date, Falcon 9 did everything correctly on Sunday night. If we or others find otherwise based on further review, we will report it immediately,” SpaceX Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell said.
Matt Desch, chief executive officer of satellite operator Iridium Communications Inc., said that as the launch contractor, Northrop Grumman deserves the blame for the loss last weekend of the satellite.
Tim Paynter, a spokesman for Northrop Grumman Corp. declined to comment on the payload adapter. Company was commissioned by the Defence Department to choose the launch contractor.
Iridium is one of SpaceX’s largest commercial satellite customers, with four launches in the past 12 months from Vandenberg Air Force Base on California’s central coast and four upcoming launches listed on SpaceX’s manifest.
