Monday, May 17, 2021

Rocket Lab Fails To Launch, Destroys Two Satellites

A weekend launch by Long Beach-based rocket developer Rocket Lab has destroyed two satellites, in what the company described as an "issue" with its stage two rocket. The launch on Saturday from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand occurred just after the Electron's two stages separated. In a statement, Rocket Lab said that the "issue occurred shortly after stage two ignition". The destroyed rocket was carrying two, Earth-observing satellites for BlackSky, in a ride arranged by rocket ridesharing coordinator Spaceflight.