![Rocket Lab's Electron rocket failed to reach orbit after an anomaly during the](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/RocketLabElectron.jpg)
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket failed to achieve orbit after an anomaly through the “We Will Never Desert You” mission on Sept. 19. Credit: Rocket Lab
The eighth orbital launch attempt of 2023 for Rocket Lab’s Electron led to failure due to an anomaly that occurred moments after stage separation, some 2.5 minutes into flight.
The mission “We Will Never Desert You” lifted off at 2:55 a.m. EDT (06:55 UTC) Sept. 19 from Launch Complex 1B at Latest Zealand’s Mahia peninsula. The primary stage of the 59-foot (18-meter) tall Electron rocket appeared to perform nominally. Nevertheless, moments after stage separation, the upper stage’s lone vacuum-optimized Rutherford engine appeared to have trouble starting as sparks were briefly seen before the video feed froze.
Telemetry then appeared to indicate the vehicle losing speed and altitude.
“We’re working closely with the FAA and supporting agencies because the investigation into the foundation cause commences,” a Rocket Lab statement in regards to the incident reads. “The Electron rocket has previously delivered 171 satellites to orbit across 37 successful orbital missions. We are going to discover the problem swiftly and implement corrective actions and return to the pad shortly.”
Rocket Lab has flown its Electron rocket 41 times since 2017, including a planned sub-orbital mission from Virginia in June of this 12 months.
Aboard this mission was a 364-pound (165 kilogram) satellite for Capella Space. It was the second of 4 planned dedicated launches for the remote-sensing company. The opposite two flights were planned for later this 12 months.
Nevertheless, Rocket Lab said it’s postponing flights until corrective actions are implemented.
The last time an Electron rocket failed during flight was in May 2021 through the “Running Out of Toes” mission. In total, including the inaugural flight of the vehicle, there have been 4 failures.
“My deepest apologies to our mission partners Capella Space,” Peter Beck posted on social media. “Team is already working on root cause. We’ll find it, fix it and be back on the pad quickly.