2019 · Arianespace

Falcon Eye 1

failureVega | Falcon Eye 1

Falcon Eye 1 is a high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite for the United Arab Emirates. Built by Airbus Defense and Space with an optical imaging payload from Thales Alenia Space, Falcon Eye 1 is the first of two surveillance satellites ordered by the UAEâ€™s military.

Overview

Date / time: July 11, 2019 at 01:53 AM UTC
Outcome: failure
Launch site: Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
Mission: Falcon Eye 1
Mission type: Government/Top Secret
Orbit achieved: Polar Orbit

FailureAn anomaly occurred shortly after MECO and stage separation. Preliminary findings indicate that super-hot gas from burning solid propellant impinged on the structure of the second stage, causing the vehicle to break apart.