Rocket fails to take-off yet again

EAGERLY WAITING: Matt Wightman (left), 14, Andrew Wightman, Ngaruawahia, Djeffery Cats, intern, Wairoa District Council, eagerly wait at Bluck's Pit Rd, Nuhaka. Photo / Duncan Brown

The scheduled 2.30pm start time for Rocket Lab's second test launch came and went yesterday as yet another attempt proved unsuccessful.

Spectators trickled in from as far as Auckland to catch a glimpse of the ellusive rocket, only turned away.

Despite high wind and scattered showers throughout the morning, it was all go until word got around at about 2.40pm yesterday afternoon.

The call to abort the sixth attempt of the Electron rocket from Mahia Peninsula was officially announced by the company just before 3.30pm citing "increasing upper level winds" as the cause.

A Rocket Lab spokesperson said "the day opened as a no-go for launch due to high shear winds, however, initial data indicated weather conditions could improve slightly to allow for a launch attempt as the day progressed."

Binoculars and cameras were poised for the lift-off for 11 people; both young and old who eagerly waited at the Nuhaka viewing site.

Jimmy, 9, and 14-year-old sister Sage travelled with their rocket-enthusiast mother from Auckland at 6am yesterday morning.

Despite being "disappointed," they were hopeful to be witness to a successful operation later today.

Similarly 9-year-old Ruby from Wellington was looking forward to seeing flames upon take-off.

She came with her grandparents; Christine and Mark Stack from Napier.

"It was great to see the rocket, even though it didn't launch."

For Andrew Wightman and his 14-year-old son, Matt, travelling several hours from Ngaruawahia to the viewing site was "worth it."

"We came all this way, but that's okay. We thought there would be more people," Matt said.

The next launch attempt will be after 2.30pm tomorrow, pending optimal weather, the Rocket Lab spokesperson said.