Rocket Lab Set to Launch New Electron Mission Following Anomaly

Rocket Lab Set for Electron Rocket Launch

Rocket Lab, a California-based aerospace company, has announced that it will launch a new Electron mission on December 14, marking the rocket’s comeback following an in-flight anomaly in September. The launch will take place from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The mission, named “The Moon God Awakens,” will carry the TSUKUYOMI-I satellite for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, a Japan-based Earth imaging company.

Previous Anomalies and Rocket Lab’s Reusability Efforts

The September anomaly resulted in the loss of a radar imaging satellite on board the Electron rocket. However, Rocket Lab was recently cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration to resume launches after determining that the first stage of the rocket was not the cause of the anomaly. Prior to the incident, Electron had completed 20 consecutive successful launches. The company has also been experimenting with reusability, with an Electron booster being successfully recovered by a parachute-assisted ocean splashdown in July.

Watch the Launch Live

Rocket Lab will stream the upcoming Electron mission live on its website, with the broadcast beginning 20 minutes before liftoff. Stay updated with all things spaceflight by following Rocket Lab’s X (formerly Twitter) page and bookmarking Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.

Source: How to Watch Rocket Lab’s Next Launch as It Seeks to Recover From a Scary Setback