Talk:Landsat 6

COSPAR ID?

I was looking for information to expand the infobox at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftOrbit.do?id=LNDSAT6, this page shows the NSSDCA ID/COSPAR ID to be LNDSAT6 which is a completely different format to other COSPAR IDs, so I suspect this was some kind of temporary designation that was used because the mission failed to achieve orbit.

Can I include LNDSAT6 in the infobox as the ID? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cincotta1 (talk • contribs) 20:42, 26 March 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Info on failure mode is wrong - everywhere online.

All available on-line info on the failure mode is wrong. Not only was I a lead engineer responsible for the design of the L6 structure and attitude control system, but I participated in the industry team charged with investigating the failure. Everything on line I have been able to find now has the details of the failure just plain wrong, most stating that the failure prevented fuel from reaching the apogee kick motor, causing an incomplete burn. As with most spacecraft of that time (and maybe still) the AKM is a solid fuel rocket, just like the Shuttle's solid rockets. Nothing to do with the liquid system that failed. The fact is the liquid fuel system exploded upon separation when it was ignited, dooming Landsat 6. So what to do about Wikipedia? As no "original research" is allowed, I tried to walk a fine line, paraphrasing the best reference I added, leaving out the plain-wrong parts. I am also still looking for better sources. RobP (talk) 02:29, 18 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Crisis averted! Found a better source and added it, changing article text to reflect the history appropriately as is specified in these sources. RobP (talk) 02:39, 18 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]