Rocket Lab returns Electron to flight with Space Force launch
Posted: Sat, Jul 31, 2021, 10:17 AM ET (1417 GMT)
Rocket Lab placed a satellite in orbit for the Space Force early Thursday on the first Electron launch since a May failure. The Electron lifted off at 2:00 am EDT (0600 GMT) from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, deploying the Monolith satellite into low Earth orbit 52 minutes later. The launch was the first since an Electron failure in mid-May linked to a previously undetected issue with the igniter system for the rocket's second stage engine. Monolith, developed by the Air Force Research Lab, will test the ability of a smallsat to use a large deployable sensor. The mission was to launch from Rocket Lab's new launch site at Wallops Island, Virginia, but continued delays by NASA to certify an autonomous flight termination system for the rocket forced the company to shift the launch to New Zealand.
Rocket Lab placed a satellite in orbit for the Space Force early Thursday on the first Electron launch since a May failure. The Electron lifted off at 2:00 am EDT (0600 GMT) from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, deploying the Monolith satellite into low Earth orbit 52 minutes later. The launch was the first since an Electron failure in mid-May linked to a previously undetected issue with the igniter system for the rocket's second stage engine. Monolith, developed by the Air Force Research Lab, will test the ability of a smallsat to use a large deployable sensor. The mission was to launch from Rocket Lab's new launch site at Wallops Island, Virginia, but continued delays by NASA to certify an autonomous flight termination system for the rocket forced the company to shift the launch to New Zealand.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Blue Origin launches Shatner, three others on second crewed New Shepard flight
Posted: Sat, Oct 16 6:02 PM ET (2202 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 27
Shijian-21: Satellite crusher or space debris cleaner?
Asia Times — 10:36 pm ET (0236 GMT) ABL Space Systems Nearly Doubles Valuation After Closing Additional Series B Funding
ViaSatellite — 10:34 pm ET (0234 GMT) 'It's evil': Federal contractors protest Covid-19 vaccine mandate in Decatur
WAAY-TV Huntsville, AL — 10:33 pm ET (0233 GMT) ULA worker suspended pending further investigation
WHNT-TV — 10:33 pm ET (0233 GMT) Industry Group Working to Accelerate Partnerships for Space Innovation
PRWeb — 10:31 pm ET (0231 GMT) |
