LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Southern California-based Rocket Lab said it successfully returned to flight following a launch failure in early July.
An Electron rocket blasted off Monday from a launch pad on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula and put a small radar imaging satellite into orbit for San Francisco-based Capella Space, the company said.
The previous launch failed when the rocket’s second stage shut down prematurely and seven satellites were lost.
Rocket Lab subsequently said extensive telemetry allowed it to trace the problem to a single electrical connection, and the Federal Aviation Administration gave permission to resume launches.
The new launch placed Capella’s microsatellite into a circular orbit about 310 miles (500 kilometers) high.
Rocket Lab, which specializes in lofting small satellites, said it has monthly launches scheduled for the rest of the year.
It has a second launch pad under construction in New Zealand and another site in Virginia.
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