On Sunday, July 5, Rocket Lab suffered a launch failure, resulting in the loss of its electron rocket and payload minutes after lifting from New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
The issue that ended the mission took several minutes of flight during the second phase of the vehicle’s burn, which resulted in the loss of seven satellites in a rideshare mission with three companies.
Following the incident, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck posted a personal video message (below) apologizing for a failed launch while at the same time stating his team’s determination as to what went wrong so soon Can take flight.
A brief account of today’s mission from our founder and CEO, Peter Beck. pic.twitter.com/QUShtzp7J0
– Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) July 5, 2020
“It is fair to say that today was a very difficult day,” Beck said in his address.
“To our customers, we deeply regret the loss of those payloads. Trust me, we feel and we share your disappointment. However, we will leave no stone unturned to find out what happened today so that we can learn from it and safely get back on the pad. “
Beck reported that Electron is one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world today, with 12 consecutive launches under its belt, but added, “Today’s issue was a reminder that spaceflight was too inefficient Can. It was definitely a day we never wanted to experience. “
The CEO also said that there was no way to damage any person or property at any time, with the rocket taking a safe re-entry path.
Beck founded Rocket Lab in 2006 as a small-satellite launcher for companies with access to space. To date, it has deployed 53 satellites through 12 launches. SpaceX is also in the same market, which recently launched its SmallSat rideshare program for deployment of small-satellite.
Rocket Lab Customer
Seattle-based SpaceFlight, which was working with Rocket Lab to deploy the Canon Electronics satellite on Sunday’s mission, said that while he was disappointed, it was “always aware that launch failures are part of the space business . ” It added, “We have confidence in all our launch vehicles, including the Electron, and expect many more successful launches with them.”
Britain’s startup In-Space Mission, which also placed a satellite on the rocket, said it was “absolutely kinky” from the mission’s failure, although the dog leader, its CEO and founder, insisted his team “get over this unfortunate accident.” Will not refrain from “. “
The San Francisco-based planet, which lost five satellites aboard the electron, said it had “full confidence that the rocket lab would not fail in today’s time, and we look forward to flying on the electron again.”
Beck closed her video message by saying that her team is now combing “to learn about the mission and prepare for the next mission,” adding, “We have several electron launch vehicles in production And we are ready for a fast return to flight as soon as these investigations are completed and of course, all the right measures are taken. ”
Editors recommendations
