Rocket Lab Plans to Resume Launches By the End of the Year 

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket on the launch pad, before the Sept. 19 mission failure. Photo: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab expects to resume launching its Electron rocket by the end of the year, after the company’s Electron mission failure in September. Rocket Lab reported Wednesday that its license to launch with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still active, but Rocket Lab is still working through a review. 

The Sept. 19 mission failure lost one satellite for customer Capella Space. Lift off, first stage burn and stage separation took place as planned, but there was an issue shortly after second stage engine ignition. 

Rocket Lab said the full review is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. The FAA is providing oversight over the mishap investigation and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has official observer status. Rocket Lab plans to return to flight with corrective measures in place. 

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said in a news release that the investigation team has been working around the clock to uncover all the possible root causes and put in place corrective actions 

“After more than 40 launches, Electron is a proven, mature design with a well-established manufacturing process behind it, so we knew the fault was going to be something complex and extremely rare that hasn’t presented in testing or flight before,” Beck said. “We look forward to sharing the details of the review once it is fully complete ahead of returning to flight this quarter.”