Rocket Lab Experiences Anomaly During 20th Electron Mission

Rocket Lab’s 20th Electron mission, launched Saturday morning, encountered a substantial problem immediately following the ignition of its second-stage engine. The engine experienced an unexpected shutdown shortly after ignition, deviating from the expected operational sequence.

This shutdown is strongly suspected to be the result of an automated emergency system. Such a system is designed to activate in response to detected system malfunctions, prioritizing safety.

Confirmation of Vehicle and Payload Loss

Rocket Lab has officially confirmed that the anomaly occurred shortly after second-stage ignition, leading to the total loss of the launch vehicle and its carried payload.

The company’s previous mission failure occurred in July 2020, during the 13th Electron flight. That incident, also involving a second-stage engine issue, similarly triggered a safety shutdown.

While the rocket did not explode in the prior incident, it ceased functioning, failing to achieve the intended orbit or deploy its payload.

Mission Details and Objectives

The “Running Out of Toes” mission represented Rocket Lab’s third launch of the year. It was a dedicated, commercially contracted launch for BlackSky.

The primary objective was the delivery of an Earth observation satellite, intended to enhance BlackSky’s global monitoring and intelligence capabilities.

Rocket Reusability Program Test

This mission also served as a crucial test for Rocket Lab’s ongoing rocket reusability program. A key goal was the recovery of the Electron vehicle’s first-stage booster.

This marked the second attempt at booster recovery, following a successful retrieval after a launch in November. Significant improvements were implemented for this second recovery attempt.

Improvements to Recovery System

Upgrades were made to the Electron vehicle itself, including an enhanced thermal protection system and an improved heat shield. These modifications are designed to safeguard the Rutherford engines during recovery.

Protecting the engines is vital for maintaining their condition and enabling future reuse of the booster.

Booster Recovery On Track

Rocket Lab reported that the second stage remained within the predicted flight path after the safety shutdown, posing no threat to the public or recovery teams.

The first-stage splashdown occurred as planned, and the recovery team is currently working to retrieve the booster in the Pacific Ocean. This aspect of the mission appears likely to succeed.

Investigation and Future Flights

An investigation into the cause of the anomaly is now underway. This investigation is a necessary prerequisite before Rocket Lab can resume launch operations.

The goal is to prevent similar issues from impacting future missions and ensure the continued reliability of the Electron launch system.