Rocket Lab aims for new year after third launch delay in a week
Saturday, 16 December 2017
Rocket Lab has delayed its second test flight of the Electron rocket until the new year.
It came after the launch from the Māhia Peninsula base was stopped once again.
Corrective measures have been put in place for the power fault discovered during ground checkouts on Friday, a launch spokesman said.
However with only one day remaining in the 10-day launch window the company decided to delay an attempt until the new year, he said.
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The current launch window was to end on Sunday, and in order to preserve crew rest, would not to be extended, the spokesman said.
The team remained focused and were prepared to wait for the best conditions for launching, she said.
New 'still testing' launch window dates are to be released when established early in the new year after discussion with the Civil Aviation Authority, and other space traffic and regulatory bodies.
The US-owned company plan to launch three satellites with the rocket.
Earlier in the week the first launch was stopped two seconds before lift off when readings showed liquid oxygen feeding into one of the engines had not reached the required temperature.
A second launch attempt was stopped on Thursday due to increased high altitude winds speed.
Most of the rocket's payload was equipment used to test the performance of the rocket itself.
Rocket Lab's first launch was in May, when it reached space but failed to achieve orbit.
For real-time updates from Rocket Lab, follow us on Twitter @RocketLab
TIMELINE FOR LAUNCH:
Seven hours before launch: Emergency crews, local officials and Rocket Lab team are briefed and move into position for launch.
Six hours before launch: Road to the launch site closed.
Four hours before launch: Electron lifted to vertical position and filled with fuel.
Two-and-a-half hours before launch: Launch pad personnel exit area in preparation for launch.
Two hours before launch: Electron filled with liquid oxygen.
One hour before launch: Aviation authority advised to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards.
Ten minutes before launch: Final preparations for launch commence.
Two minutes before launch: Autosequence commences and the Electron's on-board computers initiate the launch sequence.
Two seconds before launch: Ignition of the nine Rutherford engines powering Electron's first stage.
Launch: Lift-off. Electron climbs from the launch pad, initially rising slowly and increasing in speed as the Electron gets lighter.
Two minutes and thirty seconds into flight: Engines powering Stage 1 cut off.
Two minutes and thirty-four seconds into flight: Stage 1 of Electron separates.
Two minutes and thirty-six seconds into flight: The vacuum Rutherford engine on Stage 2 ignites.
Three minutes and four seconds into flight: The Electron's fairing (the protective casing around the satellite) separates.
Eight minutes and eight seconds into flight: Electron reaches orbit.
Eight minutes and 14 seconds into flight: Stage 2 engine cuts off.
Eight minutes and 31 seconds into flight: Payload separates from the launch vehicle.