[SatNews] The collision of Ecuador’s satellite Pegaso (Pegasus) with Russian rocket debris on May 23rd has ended up being more than just a fender bender. Unfortunately, this collision has resulted in the nanosatellite now spinning like a top, unable to send or receive signals.
The small satellite did survive the encounter, according to the Ecuadorian Space Agency (EXA)—final findings should be released shortly as to whether or not Pegaso is salvageable. It is unknown if this setback for the Ecuadorian space program will affect their planned launch of their second satellite, named Krysaor, set for August by Russia. Pegaso and was launched on April 25th by China. Both Ecuadorian satellites required an investment of approximately $780,000 which was supplied by EXA, private companies, and the government of Ecuador and required a year to build.
