_Incident · Malfunction_

# AstroForge's Brokkr-1 cubesat loses communication after launch, fails refinery demonstration

Canonical ID: `81ee432c-51f4-4ae5-be79-bd504c0f3f8d`

- **Occurred:** 2023-04-15
- **Kind:** `malfunction`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Model:** [Brood](/models/astroforge-brood.md) (id: `6e8389f3-1285-4618-a56c-ce94868b9bfc`)
- **Company:** [AstroForge](/companies/astroforge.md)
- **Category:** [Space](/space)

[AstroForge](/companies/astroforge.md)'s first spacecraft, the Brokkr-1 6U cubesat, launched April 15, 2023 aboard SpaceX Transporter-7, immediately faced communication problems. The satellite's refining system generated a magnetic field that interfered with its orientation system, preventing proper solar panel deployment and antenna alignment. Although a signal was eventually received on May 5, 2023, the refinery demonstration could not be completed, and the mission was effectively a failure.

## Sources (2)

1. **Wikipedia** · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AstroForge · 2023-12-12
2. **Gizmodo** · https://gizmodo.com/astrofargo-asteroid-mining-startup-demo-mission-1851092388 · 2023-12-12

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-08-08 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### What happened in AstroForge's Brokkr-1 cubesat loses communication after launch, fails refinery demonstration?

AstroForge's first spacecraft, the Brokkr-1 6U cubesat, launched April 15, 2023 aboard SpaceX Transporter-7, immediately faced communication problems. The satellite's refining system generated a magnetic field that interfered with its orientation system, preventing proper solar panel deployment and antenna alignment. Although a signal was eventually received on May 5, 2023, the refinery demonstration could not be completed, and the mission was effectively a failure.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on April 15, 2023 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### What robot was involved in AstroForge's Brokkr-1 cubesat loses communication after launch, fails refinery demonstration?

Brood is the recorded robot involved in this incident.

### Has anyone responded to AstroForge's Brokkr-1 cubesat loses communication after launch, fails refinery demonstration?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of AstroForge's Brokkr-1 cubesat loses communication after launch, fails refinery demonstration?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


_API: GET /v1/incidents/81ee432c-51f4-4ae5-be79-bd504c0f3f8d · sources: /v1/incidents/81ee432c-51f4-4ae5-be79-bd504c0f3f8d/sources · responses: /v1/incidents/81ee432c-51f4-4ae5-be79-bd504c0f3f8d/responses · status: /v1/incidents/81ee432c-51f4-4ae5-be79-bd504c0f3f8d/status · canonical URL: /incidents/astroforge-brokkr-1-communication-failure-2023_