Following their launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 26, NASA's Lunar Trailblazer and AstroForge's Odin spacecraft are experiencing communication issues. Lunar Trailblazer, designed to map water on the moon, initially powered up and transmitted data, but operators noted power anomalies and lost contact approximately 12 hours post-launch. Contact was later restored, and efforts are underway to assess the power system and implement solutions.
AstroForge's Odin, aimed at studying asteroid 2022 OB5, is also facing difficulties. While carrier signals are detected, telemetry data remains absent, suggesting a potential power-positive state but hindering comprehensive assessment. Possible causes under investigation include ground network malfunctions and spacecraft tumbling.
Lunar Trailblazer, built by Lockheed Martin, is on a trajectory involving lunar flybys in March and May, aiming for lunar orbit by July 7. Odin is programmed for a contingency burn to reach its asteroid target, but tracking could be complicated by positional errors. The IM-2 lunar lander, which carried both spacecraft, remains in good condition, with a landing scheduled for March 6.