<p>LONG BEACH, Calif. — California-based Rocket Lab said a launch of satellites from its facility in New Zealand failed Saturday.</p>
<p>The problem occurred during ignition of the Electron rocket’s second stage, the company said in a statement.</p>
<p>The rocket was carrying two Earth-observation satellites for BlackSky, a global monitoring company.</p>
<p>“Today’s anomaly occurred after 17 successful orbital launches of the Electron launch vehicle. With multiple launch vehicles currently in production, Rocket Lab is prepared for a rapid return to flight as soon as investigations are complete and any required corrective actions are in place,” the statement said.</p>
<p>Rocket Lab said the rocket’s first stage successfully parachuted into the ocean and crews were working to recover it. The company is trying to develop a capability to recover and reuse Electron first stages.</p>
<p>
<a href="https://www.rocketlabusa.com/">Rocket Lab </a> is headquartered in Long Beach, California, and has launch sites on New Zealand’s Mahia peninsula and Wallops Island, Virginia.</p>
