{"id":23898,"date":"2021-05-18T16:22:04","date_gmt":"2021-05-18T20:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23898"},"modified":"2021-05-19T00:20:14","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T04:20:14","slug":"space-transport-roundup-part-2-everybody-else-may-18-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23898","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup – Part 2: Everybody Else – May.18.2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here is a sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here<\/a>). Today’s Part 1 Roundup<\/a> focused on\u00a0 SpaceX. Part 2 here reports on other companies and organizations.<\/p>\n

** Rocket Lab Electron second stage fails in launch attempt; First stage recovered from sea<\/strong>. Two BlackSky earth observation satellites were lost. The first stage made a soft landing upon the ocean and it was retrieved: Rocket Lab Progresses Flight Review, Recovers First Stage Following Successful Ocean Splashdown | Rocket Lab<\/a><\/p>\n

On May 15, 2021, Rocket Lab experienced an anomaly almost three minutes into the company\u2019s 20th<\/sup> Electron launch. Following a successful lift-off from Launch Complex 1, Electron proceeded through a nominal first stage engine burn, stage separation, and stage 2 ignition. Shortly after the second stage ignition the engine shut down, resulting in the loss of the mission.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rocket Lab continued to receive good telemetry from Electron following the safe engine shutdown on stage two, providing engineers with comprehensive data to review as part of a robust review into the anomaly. The extensive data is being methodically scoured to enable the review team to accurately pinpoint the issue and implement corrective actions for future missions. Rocket Lab is leading the flight review with the support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); a structure that ensures Rocket Lab maintains a high degree of control over its return-to-flight schedule.<\/em><\/p>\n

Preliminary data reviews suggest an engine computer detected an issue shortly after stage 2 engine ignition, causing the computer to command a safe shutdown as it is designed to do. The behavior had not been observed previously during Rocket Lab\u2019s extensive ground testing operations, which include multiple engine hot fires and full mission duration stage tests prior to flight. The vehicle remained within the pre-determined safety corridor during the flight.\u00a0 The full review is expected to be complete in the coming weeks and Rocket Lab anticipates a swift return to flight.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe deeply regret the loss of BlackSky\u2019s payload and we are committed to returning to flight safely and reliably for our customers,\u201d said Rocket Lab founder and chief executive, Peter Beck. \u201cWe are methodically working through the review process to address the issue. After 17 successful missions and more than 100 satellites deployed to orbit prior to this mission, and with multiple launch vehicles currently in production, we are confident in a swift and reliable return to flight with minimal impact on our launch manifest this year.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Flight data shows Electron\u2019s first stage performed nominally during the mission and did not contribute to the flight issue. The first stage safely completed a successful splashdown under parachute as planned and Rocket Lab\u2019s recovery team retrieved the stage from the ocean for transport back to Rocket Lab\u2019s production complex as part of the company\u2019s reusability test program. The new heat shield debuted in this flight protected the stage from the intense heat and forces experienced while re-entering Earth\u2019s atmosphere and the program took yet another major advancement towards reusability of the rocket. The engines remain in good condition and Rocket Lab intends to put them through hot fire testing for analysis. Selected components from the recovered stage are also suitable for reflight on future missions. Rocket Lab\u2019s program to make Electron a reusable launch vehicle is advancing quickly and the company intends to conduct its third recovery mission later this year.<\/em><\/p>\n