Breaking News: Rocket Lab Launch Interrupted by Unprecedented ‘Anomaly’

An Electron rocket carrying a satellite for Capella Space experienced an anomaly mid-flight Tuesday, causing the mission to be called off. File Photo courtesy of Rocket Lab

An Electron rocket carrying a satellite for Capella Space encountered an anomaly during its mid-flight on Tuesday, resulting in the mission being terminated. The incident led to the cancellation of the launch. The Electron rocket was equipped with a radar satellite for Capella Space.

Sept. 19 (UPI) — An incident occurred during the Rocket Lab launch of Capella Space’s next-generation radar satellite in New Zealand today. The “anomaly” took place during the stage separation of the two-stage Electron rocket, approximately 2 minutes and 38 seconds after liftoff.

No detailed explanation was provided during the live broadcast of the launch. In a tweet, Rocket Lab stated, “The launch director has called an anomaly, resulting in the end of the mission. We’ll share more information as it comes to hand.”

The launch of Capella Space’s synthetic aperture radar Earth-imaging satellite, named Acadia, was originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m. NZT on Tuesday from Complex 1 at New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. However, a hold was implemented less than 8 minutes before the countdown ended.

The countdown was restarted after approximately 15 minutes, with the rocket launching towards low-Earth orbit with its payload. However, around 90 seconds later, the stage separation occurred and the mission had to be called off.

The objective of the We Will Never Desert You mission was to include another next-generation SAR Earth-imaging satellite to Capella Space’s constellation. This constellation provides the highest quality and resolution SAR imagery commercially available. Capella Space stated that its satellites are capable of capturing clear images anywhere on Earth, regardless of weather conditions.

Rocket Lab has entered into a four-mission contract with Capella Space, with today’s launch supposed to be the second under that agreement. Additionally, it was Rocket Lab’s 41st Electron rocket launch to date and the ninth launch of this year.

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