NG-3 Update: We have confirmed payload separation. AST SpaceMobile has confirmed the satellite has powered on. The payload was placed into an off-nominal orbit. We are currently assessing and will update when we have more detailed information.

@blueorigin Here's the good news. The BlueBird has ion engines that MIGHT be able to compensate for the missed orbit. If so, it's still a mission success. If not, it's probably a failure.

@AngryAstro66 @blueorigin Shortened lifetime if it survives so partial success at best.

BlueBird has Hall Effect ion thrusters with massive ISP. Satellites almost never run through their ion fuel in a typical lifetime. They're actually designed with this kind of scenario in mind. So, we'll see. Another problem will be the deorbit. If the second stage is malfunctioning, we could be looking at an uncontrolled burnup, and that ain't good with a massive second stage like this.

@AngryAstro66 @Lyndis4Ever @blueorigin Raising orbit may require more than a lifetime of station keeping. Most of the time in incorrect orbital insertion there is a significant reduction in lifespan unless the miss is very small.

@StatisticalMind @Lyndis4Ever @blueorigin It's worse than that, I'm afraid. I'm releasing a video on the topic soon.