Rocket Lab encountered a setback during the launch of Capella Space’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) spacecraft. The Electron rocket, carrying the satellite, took off from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site as scheduled. However, a technical glitch occurred after the separation of the rocket’s two stages, resulting in the mission’s termination.

The exact cause of the anomaly is currently unknown. Space.com speculates that the upper-stage engine may have experienced an ignition failure or a premature shutdown, but this has not been confirmed by Rocket Lab. The company referred to the incident as an anomaly without providing further details about its cause.

Rocket Lab has committed to sharing more information about the incident once it becomes available.