Eight Things. One Burn. A Good Day.
ORC-V3 “Marigold” completed a bulk clearance operation removing eight defunct objects from a defined LEO shell between 490 and 520 km. All eight objects were captured and consolidated for a single controlled deorbit over the South Pacific uninhabited zone. The mission was completed within the planned timeline. Volume discount applied per S-03 terms. Full aggregate documentation package was issued to the client within 21 working days. The mission is considered complete and successful in all material respects.
Marigold performed well throughout. We are proud of Marigold. Marigold is currently undergoing unscheduled maintenance. This report concerns a different occasion.
The client presented eight objects for disposal. All eight were in the stated shell. This is not as common as it should be. We noted it. We did not say anything because we did not want to jinx it.
Objects one through five were retrieved without incident. Object six had [REDACTED] . Marigold managed it. Marigold always manages it.
Object seven was exactly where it was supposed to be, at exactly the stated mass, in exactly the stated attitude state. This has happened [REDACTED] in our operational history. We marked the occasion quietly.
Object eight had drifted [REDACTED] . Marigold adjusted. The consolidated deorbit burn was executed on schedule. All eight objects re-entered over the South Pacific uninhabited zone in a single pass.
The volume discount was applied from the fourth object, per S-03 terms. The client asked, after receiving the invoice, whether the discount applied from the first object given that they had “always intended” to commission eight. The answer was no. The terms are in the contract. The terms have always been in the contract. We responded by post.
Marigold returned to Hangar 7 on schedule. Marigold then went into unscheduled maintenance. These two facts are [REDACTED] .
| Service tier | S-03 Bulk Clearance |
| Vehicle | ORC-V3 “Marigold” (currently unavailable) |
| Altitude range | LEO · 490–520 km shell |
| Objects contracted | 8 |
| Objects retrieved | 8 (of 8) |
| Objects in correct position | 7 of 8. Object seven was perfect. |
| Combined mass | 3,140 kg |
| Mission duration | 81 days |
| Deorbit burns | 1. One burn. Eight objects. We mention this because it warranted mentioning. |
| Re-entry zone | South Pacific uninhabited zone |
| Documentation issued | Within 21 working days. Aggregate package. |
| Invoice queries from client | 1 (re: discount application). Resolved. |
| Marigold status post-mission | Unscheduled refit. ETA July 2026. No further comment. |
- Client characterisation data for Object 6 used the word “stable.” Our definition of stable and the client’s definition of stable are not the same definition. The client briefing template has been updated. The update is in version 4.2. It has been sent to all clients. We do not know how many clients have read it.
- Object seven was exactly where it should have been, at the stated mass, in the stated attitude state. We have added Object seven to the internal list. The list now has two entries. The list was started in 2018. We do not discuss what the first entry was.
- The single consolidated deorbit burn is the correct approach for bulk clearance missions and we will continue to use it. It is also, we note internally, very satisfying. Eight things. One burn. We maintain a professional demeanour about this.
- S-03 contract terms regarding volume discount thresholds are clear and have been clear since 2019. We will review whether to add a further explanatory note to the pre-mission briefing pack. The note will say the same thing the contract says. We will add it anyway.
- Marigold’s post-mission status is being handled by S. Okafor. S. Okafor has requested that nothing further be put in writing at this time. This item is noted accordingly. Nothing further is being put in writing at this time.