What’s happening with the new space rockets? Six companies have failed to make it to orbit since Dec.
Terran-1, Relativity Space’s 3D printed rocket, managed to take flight last March 22 after two cancelled attempts, however, it stalled midway and failed to reach orbit. This is not the only failed launch in the last four months: in total there have been six space failures.
December 14, 2022: Zhuque-2
The Chinese medium-altitude rocket developed by LandSpace was to make its maiden flight in mid-December 2022. However, its Vernier second stage engines shut down prematurely. and the rocket and the 14 commercial satellites it carried could not be saved.
Zhuque-2 was to be the first methane-powered rocket. to reach orbit, but fell short halfway. Despite the failure, the flight has been key for China’s private aerospace industry.
December 21, 2022: Vega-C
Before the Christmas holidays began, French manufacturer Arianespace unsuccessfully attempted to carry out the second Vega-C orbital mission. The medium-lift rocket lifted off from the space base in French Guiana with two satellites on board, but shortly after stage separation, the second (Zefiro 40) had problems due to a defective nozzle. and failed.
January 9, 2023: LauncherOne
‘Start Me Up’ was the name Virgin Orbit had given to the mission with which they intended to put seven payloads into orbit. The satellites inside ended up destroyed. by a filter that came loose in the engine. and caused damage, according to Dan Hart, CEO of the company.
January 11, 2023: RS1
Two days after LauncherOne, ABL Space Systems attempted to launch its RS1 rocket from the Pacific Spaceport Complex (Alaska). However, E2 engine nine shut down after a few seconds of liftoff. and the team had to abort the mission.
The vehicle returned to the Earth’s surface still with 95% of its fuel. As reported, about 5,200 gallons of Jet Fuel A (kerosene) were spilled around, along with hydraulic oils, minerals, lubricants, ashes, burned batteries and other debris..
March 6: H3
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had planned to make H3 their next main launch vehicle. However, this will have to wait after its failed flight attempt in early March.
Its failure meant the destruction ALOS-3, a satellite focused on imaging the Earth from space.. This orbital vehicle cost $200 million, so it was a major blow to Japan.
March 22: Terran-1
The 3D printed rocket is the latest launch that proved unsuccessful. Luckily, there was no payload inside and nothing costly was lost. Despite its failure to reach orbit, the Relativity Space team was positive that it was shown to be “structurally viable” as it passed the Max-Q phase and the separation of the two stages.
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