Rocket Lab completes review into failed May launch

Rocket Lab said the fault resulted from a previously undetectable failure mode (Image: Rocket Lab)

Tue, 20 Jul 2021

Rocket Lab’s review into its May 15 mission has concluded the loss of the flight was down to a second stage engine igniter system failure.The New Zealand-based US space company said corrective measures were now in place to ensure the issue, which occurred three minutes and 20 seconds into the flight of the Electron launch vehicle on the 'Running Out Of Toes' mission, does not repeat. “The igniter fault resulted from a previously undetectable failure mode within the ignition system that occurs under a unique set of envir...

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