_Incident · Malfunction_

# Atomos Space's first orbital mission encountered spacecraft tumbling and communication glitches

Canonical ID: `7598b122-fe50-4a32-8de1-6544a271a37d`

- **Occurred:** 2024-03-04
- **Kind:** `malfunction`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Model:** [Atomos OTV](/models/atomos-otv.md) (id: `227111e5-ecc6-40b1-b3f6-efcd0625b22a`)
- **Company:** [Atomos Space](/companies/atomos-space.md)

During its inaugural demonstration mission launched on SpaceX Transporter-10 in March 2024, [Atomos Space](/companies/atomos-space.md)'s Quark-LITE and Gluon spacecraft encountered anomalies including spacecraft tumbling and communication glitches. Despite these issues, the mission successfully validated orbital transfer, docking, and in-space refueling capabilities. The data from this mission was used to develop a next-generation platform for geostationary orbit operations.

## Sources (2)

1. **TechCrunch** · https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/22/atomos-spaces-first-mission-on-orbit-is-a-trial-by-fire/ · 2024-03-22
2. **SpaceNews** · https://spacenews.com/katalyst-space-acquires-atomos-to-accelerate-in-space-services/ · 2025-04-24

## Common questions

### What happened in Atomos Space's first orbital mission encountered spacecraft tumbling and communication glitches?

During its inaugural demonstration mission launched on SpaceX Transporter-10 in March 2024, Atomos Space's Quark-LITE and Gluon spacecraft encountered anomalies including spacecraft tumbling and communication glitches. Despite these issues, the mission successfully validated orbital transfer, docking, and in-space refueling capabilities. The data from this mission was used to develop a next-generation platform for geostationary orbit operations.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on March 4, 2024 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### What robot was involved in Atomos Space's first orbital mission encountered spacecraft tumbling and communication glitches?

Atomos OTV is the recorded robot involved in this incident.

### Has anyone responded to Atomos Space's first orbital mission encountered spacecraft tumbling and communication glitches?

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 Atomos Space's first orbital mission encountered spacecraft tumbling and communication glitches?

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


_API: GET /v1/incidents/7598b122-fe50-4a32-8de1-6544a271a37d · sources: /v1/incidents/7598b122-fe50-4a32-8de1-6544a271a37d/sources · responses: /v1/incidents/7598b122-fe50-4a32-8de1-6544a271a37d/responses · status: /v1/incidents/7598b122-fe50-4a32-8de1-6544a271a37d/status · canonical URL: /incidents/atomos-quark-lite-mission-1-anomalies-mar-2024_