Pegasus satellite had side impact

The Ecuadorian satellite named Pegasus collided, at 00h38 m 17s, with a object known as SCC-15890, which is a remain of a Russian satellite and the collected data it’s been analyzed to determine the impact.

“The satellite has lost its orientation of its antenna and is rotating violently on 2 of its axis, therefore it is not possible to receive its transmissions for now or send commands”, announced officials from the Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency (EXA).

“We have confirmation of the American space command that a direct collision didn’t take place,” said director of the EXA, Ronnie Nader, in his Twitter account. He asserted that the Pegasus satellite remains in orbit.

Nader recalled that the device “is insured”, without specifying the policy coverage.

Pegasus, a cube of 10 by 10 cm with solar panels, which reach 75 cm when are deployed, and a weight of 1.2 kg, transmitted last thursday its first video images with audio in real time after being launched into space on an unmanned rocket from the Chinese station of Jiuquan.

Ecuador plans to send a second satellite into space, called Krysaor, next July from Russia, which will have the same characteristics of Pegasus.