Launch Detail
Pulling launch timing, vehicle context, weather signals, and mission evidence.
Launch detail
Rocket Lab • Electron • Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A (NA)
Rocket Lab • Electron • LC-1A
This was the 20th launch of Electron rocket. It carried two Earth imaging microsatellites for BlackSky's constellation which were lost due to a launcher failure after second stage ignition.
Stream links and embedded coverage.
Open the launch pad in Google Maps satellite mode using the pad coordinates.
This was the 20th launch of Electron rocket. It carried two Earth imaging microsatellites for BlackSky's constellation which were lost due to a launcher failure after second stage ignition.
Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.
Provider, rocket, pad, and booster history tied to this launch.
Linked via Spaceflight News API (SNAPI).
ArticleRocket Lab said July 19 that it has identified the cause of an Electron launch failure more than two months ago and that the vehicle is ready to return to fl...
Article"Listen to customers, don't listen to pundits and market analysts."
ArticleRocket Lab said June 2 that it is continuing to study the “complex failure” on its most recent Electron launch, even after receiving approval from the Federa...
ArticleRocket Lab said an Electron rocket failed to reach orbit May 15 when the vehicle’s computer system detected a problem with the second stage engine and shut i...
Article"We deeply regret the loss of BlackSky's payload."
ArticleA Rocket Lab Electron launcher malfunctioned about two-and-a-half minutes after liftoff from New Zealand Saturday, destroying two BlackSky optical Earth-imag...
Launch-stage and landing context surfaced from LL2 when it exists.
Booster used for Electron's 20th flight (Running Out Of Toes). Successfully splashed down offshore.
