Launch startup ABL Space Systems’ first orbital launch attempt fell through on Tuesday after all nine engines in the RS1 rocket’s first stage failed simultaneously. The rocket then hit the launch pad and was destroyed on impact.
The rocket took off at approximately 6:27 PM ET from the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska. It is unknown how long after takeoff the engine failed. The rocket carried a technology demonstration CubeSat from data analytics company OmniTeq. The payload was lost, but no personnel were injured in the rocket collision.
As is common with unusual rocket launches, the company is working with spaceport and Federal Aviation Administration officials to investigate the cause of the engine outage.
ABL president Dan Piemont told TechCrunch that while the investigation is still in its early stages, “It’s strong evidence that the shutdowns occurred at the same time, but it will take more time for the team to narrow down the factors and root causes. I would,’ he said.
ABL’s 88-foot-tall expendable rocket RS1, like Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha vehicle, can carry up to 1,350 kilograms to low-Earth orbit. The company has previously said each launch will cost about $12 million, entering a growing field of competitors looking to offer low-cost, rapid launch services.
Tuesday’s failure comes just one day after the Virgin Orbit mission experienced its own anomaly, prematurely ending the mission. Two of her other rockets have also suffered failures in the past month. Arianespace’s Vega-C and Chinese company Landspace’s Zhuque-2. These were the first methane-fueled rockets to reach orbit.
Since its inception in 2017, ABL has raised $420 million, including a $200 million Series B extension round in December 2021 at a valuation of $2.4 billion. Its investors include Lockheed Martin, which bought blocks of up to 58 launches from the startup last April.
“The vehicles for Flight 2 are fully assembled and ready to launch the flight campaign, so we are working hard to get started as soon as the Flight 1 investigation is complete,” said Piemont. .
