Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Exploration Company’s Nyx Capsule Lost at Sea After Parachute Failure

The company plans to apply lessons from the parachute malfunction after successfully reaching orbit with its experimental capsule.

Image
© The Exploration Company/ESA
Image

Overview

  • The Nyx capsule launched on June 23 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 as part of the Transporter-14 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
  • In orbit the vehicle powered its 660-pound payload, stabilized itself after separation and reestablished communications following atmospheric reentry.
  • Investigators believe a drogue or main parachute failed during descent, causing Nyx to crash into the Pacific Ocean on June 24 and become irretrievable.
  • Lost cargo included the ashes and DNA of more than 160 people provided by Celestis and cannabis specimens from the Martian Grow research project.
  • The Exploration Company has deemed the flight a partial success and is probing the failure to refine Nyx for future low-Earth orbit missions and a possible 2028 ISS demonstration.