WELLINGTON, Sept 19 (Askume) – Rocket Lab RKLB.O said on Thursday the planned launch of an Electron rocket from a facility in New Zealand was aborted before flight due to problems with ground support equipment.
The rocket carrying five satellites for French operator and space-based Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity provider Kinesis failed to launch during a rocket test from an indoor launch pad on the country’s northern island at about 11 am (2300GMT).
According to the company’s post on the social media platform, it has been safely shut down and both the Electron and Launchpad “remain healthy”.
Peter Beck, the company’s founder and CEO, said
He said, “We want everything on the earth to be as prosperous as everything in the sky.”
Rocket Lab said there will be no further launch attempts on Thursday and the team is currently evaluating opportunities for its next launch attempt.
The mission, dubbed “Kineis Killed the Riot Star,” was supposed to be the 53rd launch of the Electron rocket, according to the company.
