12 Dec 2017

Rocket Lab launch aborted seconds from launch

5:48 pm on 12 December 2017

New Zealand company Rocket Lab's launch of a 17-metre-long rocket from Māhia Peninsula was aborted at the last moment this afternoon.

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Photo: Supplied / Twitter

The test flight - which is nicknamed 'Still Testing' - was set to launch at 4.50pm.

The launch was aborted two seconds before take-off.

Rocket Labs staff have now confirmed there will be no further attempt today, while they review the data of the failed launch.

Rocket Labs said the vehicle performed a "safe auto-sequence abort".

Watch the live stream here from the launch site here:

The company opened the 10-day launching window on Friday, but high winds had prevented the launch until today.

It is the second of three test flights as the company prepares to become a commercial operation.

Rocket Lab's first test flight in May 2017.

Rocket Lab's first test flight, in May, made it to space but failed to achieve orbit. Photo: Supplied / Rocket Lab

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