Rocket Lab Experiencing Further Delays To First US Launch

Rocket Lab first attempted to launch their Electron rocket as part of the companies "Virginia Is For Launch Lovers" mission , their first launch from US soil on December 18th 2022. Due to strong upper-level winds, Electron was unable to safely take the skies. Rocket Lab later confirmed they were standing down from an attempt today, and now the remainder of 2022. This is primarily due to constraints relating to closing the airspace over the holiday period with high levels of air traffic passing through the airspace.

Rocket Lab team in front of their facility in Wallops, Virginia (Credit: Rocket Lab)

Despite the challenges faced, teams in Mission Control in Wallops and Aukland ran the clock as far as they could however GNC polled "no go" for launch which immediately holds the countdown and prevents the transition to terminal count. However, although Electron didn't get the opportunity to launch yesterday, teams gathered priceless data on operations of the launcher and ground equipment as well as operations between the two control rooms.

Electron fairing (Credit: Rocket Lab)

The rocket and its payloads remain in a healthy configuration for another launch attempt in the new year.

Congratulations to the Rocket Lab team on yesterday's attempt.