A failed attempt by the US Air Force to launch a spy satellite last week
might cause yet another delay to NASA’s long-awaited Chandra X-ray space
telescope.
The military satellite failed to reach its proper orbit on 9 April when the
upper stage failed for reasons as yet unknown. Since Chandra uses the same
Boeing-built upper stage as the spy satellite, its scheduled July launch is in
jeopardy. “We’re not going to make a decision to launch Chandra until we
understand the problem,” says NASA spokesman Don Savage.
