Beresheet: A chain of events triggered by a technical problem

Preliminary data provided by the engineers at SpaceIL and IAI suggest that a technical problem in one of the components has triggered the chain of events that caused the main engine to shut off. Spacecraft.

Without the main engine running, it was impossible to stop the Beresheet speed. Beresheet solved the problem by restarting the engine. However, at that time, his speed was too fast to slow down and the landing could not be completed as planned.

The preliminary technical information collected by the teams shows that the first technical problem occurred 14 km above the moon. At 150 feet above ground, when the connection with the spacecraft was completely lost, it was moving vertically at 500 km / h until the inevitable collision with the lunar surface.

In-depth testing will take place next week to better understand the events.