![[AUTO] Electron - image](/media?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthespacedevs-prod.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2Felectron_image_20190705175640.jpeg&w=1600)
Rocket LabElectronRocket Lab Launch Complex 1A, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
It's a Test
Launched
May 25, 2017
Summary
It's a Test launched on a Rocket Lab Electron from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand on May 25, 2017. The mission failed: Third-party contractor supporting the launch misconfigured ground equipment that translated radio signals from the rocket into data used by range safety officials. That caused “extensive corruption of received position data,†resulting in the data loss that led safety officials to trigger the rocket’s flight termination system. It was Rocket Lab's 1st launch, 1st this year and humanity's 5,643rd orbital launch attempt. It was the 1st Electron flight. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO).
- Result
- Third-party contractor supporting the launch misconfigured ground equipment that translated radio signals from the rocket into data used by range safety officials. That caused “extensive corruption of received position data,†resulting in the data loss that led safety officials to trigger the rocket’s flight termination system.
- Watch
- Maiden flight of the Electron Rocket #ItsATestTMRO
- Rocket Lab Electron - Lift-off WITH SOUNDKiwiSpace Foundation
- Rocket Lab Test Flight 1: View from the rocket #ItsaTestKiwiSpace Foundation
- Vehicle
- Electron · Rocket Lab
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Test Flight · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 1st Electron flightRocket Lab's 1st launch1st this yearhumanity's 5,643rd orbital launch attempt28th orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
This is the first test flight of the Electron rocket. Built and operated by Rocket Lab, Electron is meant to offer low-price launches for the small-sat market.
Pad
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
1st launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A, 1st this year · 1st from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
43 launches from this pad · 84 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
under an hour after the previous launch from this pad
All launches from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New ZealandOpen in maps
Questions
When did It's a Test launch?
It's a Test launched on May 25, 2017. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Why did It's a Test fail?
Third-party contractor supporting the launch misconfigured ground equipment that translated radio signals from the rocket into data used by range safety officials. That caused “extensive corruption of received position data,†resulting in the data loss that led safety officials to trigger the rocket’s flight termination system.
Where can I watch It's a Test?
Coverage: Maiden flight of the Electron Rocket #ItsATest; Rocket Lab Electron - Lift-off WITH SOUND; Rocket Lab Test Flight 1: View from the rocket #ItsaTest. Watch the replay
What rocket launched It's a Test?
Electron, flown by Rocket Lab. Electron spec sheet
Where did It's a Test launch from?
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
What orbit was It's a Test going to?
Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a test flight mission.