Rocket crashes after liftoff from Kodiak spaceport, damages launch pad

By Kirsten Dobroth, KMXT

Updated: January 11, 2023 Published: January 11, 2023

This article was originally published at KMXT.org and is republished here with permission.

ABL’s RS-1 rocket shortly after liftoff on Jan. 10, 2023. The rocket was destroyed after its engines shut down prematurely. (Courtesy ABL Space Systems via Twitter)

ABL Space Systems has confirmed that its RS-1 rocket experienced an anomaly Tuesday during liftoff from the Kodiak Pacific Spaceport. All nine of the rocket’s engines shut down prematurely, and it did not reach orbit.

The rocket then “impacted the pad and was destroyed,” the company said on Twitter.

A black plume of smoke was visible from the city of Kodiak, rising from the area near the Spaceport Complex on Narrow Cape around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, shortly after the planned takeoff time of 2:27 p.m.

A black plume was visible from the city of Kodiak shortly after ABL’s launch attempt on Jan. 10, 2023. (Brian Venua/KMXT)

A spokesperson for ABL said via email that all personnel on the ground at the complex were safe, although there is damage to the launch facility. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the company said via Twitter that “fires have subsided” at the complex.

As expected in this scenario, there is damage to the launch facility. All personnel are safe, and fires have subsided. We'll plan our return to flight after investigations are complete. Thanks to our stakeholders and the space community for the expressions of support.
— ABL (@ablspacesystems) January 11, 2023

The company also tweeted, “This is not the outcome we were hoping for today, but one that we prepared for. We’ll revert with additional information when available. Thanks to all for the support.”

ABL said it was going through its anomaly response procedures in coordination with the Pacific Spaceport Complex and the Federal Aviation Administration.

This would have been ABL’s first successful launch of its RS-1 rocket — the company has been trying to launch from the Kodiak Pacific Spaceport Complex since the fall.