Rocket Lab launched Electron KS from Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand, at 0655 GMT on 19 September. The Electron was carrying the Acadia 2 (aka Capella-12) radar Earth observation satellite from Capella Space. The rocket’s first stage successfully separated (not recovered) but the second stage engine – a Rutherford (Vacuum) type – failed to ignite and the assembly fell into the sea. The spacecraft was insured to a value of around US$3 million.
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Rocket Lab control room during the failure. Courtesy: Rocket Lab via Twitter/Justin Davenport