spacetoday.net: Second RS1 rocket suffers "irrecoverable" damage in pad test

Posted: Sat, Jul 27, 2024, 12:21 PM ET (1621 GMT)
ABL Space Systems says its second RS1 rocket suffered "irrecoverable" damage after a test on its launch pad. The company, in a brief statement Monday, said the rocket was damaged by a residual fire after a static-fire test on the pad at Kodiak Island, Alaska. The company was preparing for the first launch of the rocket since its inaugural flight more than 18 months ago, when its engines shut down seconds after liftoff. ABL did not provide any other details about the incident or the impact on its plans. The company has attracted a lineup of customers that includes the U.S. Space Force and Lockheed Martin, and is also slated to perform a "U.K. Pathfinder" launch from SaxaVord Spaceport next year.