'Tough day': Rocket Lab cut live feed during mid-launch failure in ...

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Rocket Lab has delivered 171 satellites to orbit across 37 successful orbital missions, but had a setback in September. (File photo)

Kiwi space firm Rocket Lab has had to delay future missions after its electron rocket experienced an “issue” mid-launch at its facility in the Hawke’s Bay.

The company cut its live-feed of the launch shortly after the rocket had completed its first stage burn and separation. A flight controller could be heard saying “all stations, we have experienced an anomaly.”

On Tuesday evening, the company said that rocket had experienced an issue two minutes and 30 seconds into launch resulting in the end of the mission.

In a statement to Stuff a Rocket Lab spokesperson said it was “too early in the investigation to say” what had happened.

“The engine failed to complete its burn as planned, which resulted in it shutting down early and the rocket failing to reach the intended orbit.”

Meanwhile, founder Peter Beck said it had been a “tough day”.

JASON DORDAY/STUFF

Peter Beck Chief Executive of Rocket Lab. Rocket Lab in Mt Wellington, Auckland. (File photo)

“My deepest apologies to our mission partners Capella Space. Team is already working on root cause. We’ll find it, fix it and be back on the pad quickly.”

The company has previously delivered 171 satellites to orbit across 37 successful orbital missions using the Electron rocket.

Reuters has reported that Rocket Lab’s share price tumbled by 8% following an announcement that it would delay missions while it works with the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration.

September’s failed mission was carrying advanced radar equipment for Capella Space. Once in orbit, this equipment can see the earth’s surface in detail, even in the darkness of night.

Rocket Lab had dubbed a previous successful mission with Capella as “we love the nightlife”.

“Capella illuminates the Earth, so users never lose sight of what’s happening on the ground. At night, we’re the ones throwing the party!,” mission notes on the website say.

The company’s next mission, scheduled for later this year, has been delayed while it implements “corrective actions”.

In 2024, Rocket Lab has a contract to launch two satellites for NASA into low earth orbit.

The mission is aimed at understanding how much of Earth’s heat from the Arctic and Antarctica is lost to space to help inform climate change models.

Beck said such missions were “core to the whole reason why Rocket Lab was founded in the first place – to open up access to space to improve life on Earth”.