It's a Test
Disclaimer: This livestream is from a third-party channel and is not an official Rocket Lab broadcast.
Mission Failure
Mission did not achieve its intended objectives
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.
Name Origin
The name "It's a Test" clearly signifies this is a developmental flight for Rocket Lab's Electron rocket. It's a crucial stage to validate hardware, software, or procedures before operational missions, emphasizing its experimental purpose.
Mission Overview
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.