In rocketry, it's only a RUD if there are cameras livestreaming it; if there are no cameras, it's just a sparkling propulsion anomaly.
@cstross considering it’s 50+ years since ‘ooh, the AE35’s failed, comms offline’, you’d think they could install a backup self-orienting s-band system that can cope with minor uncorrected spin.
@BashStKid @cstross where is it published it's in a spin?
@BashStKid @cstross could be a blown propellant line making attitude control impossible without constant correction. Could be anything. Does not look good though. They switched it on and a few hours later it goes to safe mode, but still can't get a sun tracker lock...
@BashStKid @cstross turns out it was a blown line, total mission loss
@falken @cstross just my guess, if it can’t maintain a stable orientation, with intermittent comms, it’s probably in a spin, draining the batteries trying to stabilise. Difficult to diagnose and correct if comms aren’t up.