[ad_1]
End of Rae Botsford
June 28, 2018
Logo of Rocket Lab on the side of the company Electron rocket. Image Credit: Rocket Lab
Due to an engine controller problem discovered during pre-launch checks on June 27 (NZST), Rocket Lab retires from this launch window for & # 39; It's Business Time & # 39;
During the dress rehearsal on June 16, all systems functioned nominally. The 14-day launch window opened at 12:30 pm NZST (12:30 GMT) on June 23, and each day allowed a four-hour window for a launch attempt.
The first day, the launch was cleaned up due to problems with a low-end flat tracking in Chatham Islands, which was repaired on the second day of the window. For the next two days, there was no attempt due to unfavorable weather. It is only the fifth day that the engine controller has presented problems for this particular launch window.
This mission was originally scheduled to begin between April 20 and May 3 (NZST). When the pad team discovered unexpected behavior in the engine controller during a dress rehearsal, Rocket Lab pushed back the launch window so that they could review the data and handle the problem. An engine controller, as defined in the company's press release, "is a device that governs the commands given to selected hardware and software systems in the launch vehicle."
The press release noted that they have analyzed the problem "Corrective Action", but it seems that the problem has come back. Thus, the company retires to analyze and correct the problem.
"Our test program was to orbit and deploy our first satellite clients. After achieving this goal and moving to commercial operations, mission insurance is our top priority for all customers flying on Electron, "said Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab. "There is only one measure that counts in the launch industry and it's a 100% success for the mission. We'll take the time to look at the data and modify everything we need before a new launch window to make sure we achieve it. "
The new launch window will be announced when Rocket Lab has finished reviewing the data. 19659008]
Rae Botsford Fin
Rae Botsford End is an independent editor and publisher whose main job is currently writing technical white papers, contributing to SFI, and working on a speculative fiction novel that she hopes to have published soon.
Rae wanted to have the opportunity to report on various space-related events in and around the Florida space coast and approached the SFI founder about the possibility. Rae now covers a range of topics for our growing website.
Source link
