Rocket Lab has postponed its planned launch of six commercial satellites for Synspective, originally scheduled for December 20, 2024, due to sensor data concerns. The launch was set to be the 16th flight of the Electron rocket, taking off from Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, but was called off less than 20 minutes before liftoff. The company announced that it would review the sensor readings before rescheduling the launch.
The mission, named 'Owl The Way Up,' aims to deploy Strix radar imaging satellites that will monitor minute changes in the Earth's surface. Synspective has scheduled a total of 16 launches with Rocket Lab, with the first Strix satellite launched in December 2020. Once a new date is established, Rocket Lab will livestream the mission.
In a separate development, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted SpaceX an updated license for the upcoming Flight 7 of the Starship vehicle, anticipated to occur in January 2024. This modification allows for the suborbital flight from SpaceX's Starbase in Texas, where the Super Heavy booster will attempt a return to the launch site while Starship splashes down in the Indian Ocean.
The FAA has streamlined its licensing process, with the new license permitting multiple flights under the same profile as Flight 7. This flight will be the first for an upgraded version of Starship, featuring larger propellant tanks and redesigned flaps for enhanced reentry protection.
Both events represent significant milestones in the ongoing evolution of space exploration, showcasing advancements in satellite deployment and launch vehicle capabilities.