Breaking News | Rocket Lab reaches space, but not orbit, on first Electron launch

May 25, 2017 View this email in your browser Rocket Lab reaches space, but not orbit, on first Electron launch WASHINGTON —Rocket Lab, a U.S.-New Zealand company developing the Electron small launch vehicle, declared success on its first launch May 25, although the rocket failed to reach orbit. In a statement, the company said the Electron lifted off from its private launch complex on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula at 12:20 a.m. Eastern (4:20 p.m. local time.) The rocket reached space on an apparent suborbital trajectory three minutes later. "It was a great flight. We had a great first stage burn, stage separation, second stage ignition and fairing separation," Rocket Lab Chief Executive Peter Beck said in a statement. "We didn't quite reach orbit and we'll be investigating why, however reaching space in our first test puts us in an incredibly strong position to accelerate the commercial phase of our program, deliver our customers to orbit and make space open for business." "We're looking at all our data and trying to find the root cause" for failing to make it to orbit, Beck said in a phone interview a few hours after the launch. "Until we look at the data it's really hard to say." See Full Story Sponsored by Delivering the Future: Honeywell's core strength is our leadership in the industry, from the dawn of the space age. Our value is our ability to successfully propel your missions into the emerging markets of today, and beyond. Copyright © 2017 SpaceNews Inc., All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: SpaceNews Inc. 1414 Prince St, Suite 204 Alexandria, VA 22314