Rocket Lab said today it experienced an issue during the launch of the company’s 41st mission. Following lift-off from Launch Complex 1, the rocket successfully completed a first stage burn and stage separation as planned, before an issue was experienced at around T+ 2 minutes and 30 seconds into flight, resulting in the end of the mission.
Rocket Lab apologized to partner Capella Space for the loss of the mission. The "We Will Never Desert You" mission was intended to launch the second of Capella’s third-generation SAR Acadia satellites to low Earth orbit.
"We are working closely with the FAA and supporting agencies as the investigation into the root cause commences. The Electron rocket has previously delivered 171 satellites to orbit across 37 successful orbital missions. We will identify the issue swiftly and implement corrective actions and return to the pad shortly," the company said in a statement.
According to TechCrunch, this was the first launch failure for Rocket Lab in more than two years.
The company said its next mission was currently scheduled before the end of the third quarter but will be postponed while it implements corrective actions.
