Houston do we have a problem? 'Software update' delays Rocket Lab's Moon mission

Friday, 10 June 2022

Rocket Lab says it is still “well-position’ to launch Capstone satellite for Nasa later this month, after third reschedule.

Rocket Lab’s Moon mission has been delayed for a third time, this time without a new launch date being provided by the company.

Rocket Lab has been expecting to launch a satellite into a lunar orbit for Nasa during a launch window that opened on May 31 and which closes on June 22.

But the launch was pushed back from May 31 to last Monday, and then to this coming Monday without explanation.

Nasa said in a brief statement overnight on Thursday that Rocket Lab was no longer targeting a June 13 launch and a revised schedule “will be provided as soon as possible”.

* Māhia to the Moon: Nasa jets in to talk lunar landings before crucial Rocket Lab launch

In a sign the issue may not be too serious, the US space agency said the Capstone satellite had been attached to the Rocket Lab Photon spacecraft that is designed to carry it to its orbit around the Moon.

In an apparent explanation for the delay, it said the mission’s flight software was being updated.

Rocket Lab spokeswoman Morgan Bailey said it was “undertaking a final flight software update in preparation for the mission”.

“Launch delays are very common globally and just part of making sure everything is ready for flight,” she said.

“We’re still well-positioned to launch in June and will provide a new target date when available.”