Rocket Lab loses Electron booster, five small satellites in launch failure - CBS News

The second stage of a Rocket Lab Electron rocket carrying seven small satellites malfunctioned after launch from New Zealand on Saturday, suddenly slowing down and losing altitude.

"I am incredibly sorry that we failed to deliver our customers satellites today.

I am incredibly sorry that we failed to deliver our customers satellites today.

Rocket Lab's innovative Electron launcher, featuring 3D-printed engines and battery-powered fuel pumps, is designed to launch small satellites into low-Earth orbit at a relatively low cost, providing access to space for payloads that otherwise might have to wait for more expensive rides aboard larger boosters.

The rocket launched Saturday was making the company's 13th flight.

It was carrying an experimental imaging satellite built by Canon, five "SuperDove" Earth-observation imaging satellites owned by Planet and a small technology demonstration satellite built by the British firm In-Space Missions.

The Electron blasted off from Rocket Lab's picturesque launch site on the rocky coast of the Mahia Peninsula at 5:19 p.m.

Rocket Lab ended its launch webcast a few minutes later without any comment on the telemetry or outcome of the mission.

"We will work closely with Rocket Lab and our customer Canon Electronics who had their CE-SAT-IB imaging satellite onboard this mission to figure out the next steps, but we are undeterred in our resolve to get our customers to space.

"While it's never the outcome that we hope for, the risk of launch failure is one Planet is always prepared for," the company said on its website.

"We have full faith that Rocket Lab will be able to bounce back from today's failure in no time, and we look forward to flying on the Electron again," Planet added.