Rocket Lab
- Rocket Lab "Kinéis Killed The RadIoT Star" Launch Thread!
Kinéis Killed The RadIoT Star
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-09-20 23:01 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (NZST) | 2024-09-21 11:01 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-1A, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customer | Kinéis | | Payload | Kinéis 6-10 | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into desired orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beVTGh_PrA0 (scrub) | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDMBcSt4PUo (scrub) | | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87oFE1ZmRck (scrub) |
Stats
- This will be the 11th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 53rd overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
> Second batch of five satellites for the French Kinéis IoT constellation designed to operate with 25 nanosatellites of 30 kg each. The constellation will enable Kinéis, a company backed by private and public investors including the French government’s space agency CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) and CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites) an international space-based solutions provider, to improve its global IoT connectivity.
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Previous mission: A Sky Full Of SARs
Next mission: TBD
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a relatively new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- Electron launches second set of Kinéis satellitesspacenews.com Electron launches second set of Kinéis satellites
An Electron launched a second set of satellites for French startup Kinéis Sept. 20, putting that company on track to begin Internet of Things services.
- Full house. [Peter Beck]
Peter Beck shares a photo of the factory.
Source: https://x.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1830782638136926332
- Rocket Lab-built Mars smallsats arrive at launch sitespacenews.com Rocket Lab-built Mars smallsats arrive at launch site
A pair of smallsats built by Rocket Lab for a NASA mission to Mars have arrived in Florida for a launch this fall on the inaugural flight of New Glenn.
- Rocket Lab "A Sky Full Of SARs" Launch Thread!
A Sky Full Of SARs
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-08-11 13:18 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (NZST) | 2024-08-12 01:18 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customers | Capella Space | | Payload | Acadia-3 | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into desired orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFH0ZS2GHd8 | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1EIRGMhgWg | | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKC0aVLJvas |
Stats
- This will be the 10th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 52nd overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
> Acadia-3 > > Capella Space introduced its latest generation of satellites named "Acadia", which offer increased imaging capability and improved communications connectivity. These satellites are smaller and lighter than previous models, but offer higher resolution and detection capabilities, enabling better Earth observation and more accurate decision-making. > > Capella Space's new generation of satellites feature synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, which allows them to capture images of the Earth in all weather conditions and at any time of the day or night. In addition, these satellites have enhanced communication capabilities, allowing them to transmit data and images faster and more efficiently.
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Previous mission: Owl For One, One For Owl
Next mission: Kinéis Killed The RadIoT Star
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a relatively new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- Rocket Lab fires Archimedes engine for the first timespacenews.com Rocket Lab fires Archimedes engine for the first time
Rocket Lab has fired its Archimedes engine for the first time, a key step in its efforts to develop the Neutron reusable rocket.
Some more info on the recent engine tests.
- Archimedes engine test fire
> Archimedes has been breathing fire! Started at low power and now cranking it up.
- Neutron | Stage 2 Cryogenic Test
Cryogenic burst test of a Neutron stage 2 test tank last October.
> This crucial test involved filling the tank with liquid nitrogen & pressurizing it to expected flight pressures, then pushing it all the way to failure to test extreme tolerances.
- Rocket Lab is currently hiring for numerous marine positions related to the development of the Neutron rocket landing barge
https://x.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1819097810517586100
>Rocket Lab is currently hiring for numerous marine positions related to the development of the Neutron rocket landing barge. The available roles include: > > - Marine Operations & Logistics Lead > - Recovery Engineers (II, Senior, and Lead) > - Marine Commodity Managers (Supply Chain) > > https://www.rocketlabusa.com/careers/positions/
Interesting that Rocket Lab is now considering barge landings for Neutron. This contrasts with one of the early concept videos where they stated that Neutron would always RTLS (return to launch site), and not land on a barge.
- Rocket Lab launches fifth Synspective satellitespacenews.com Rocket Lab launches fifth Synspective satellite
Rocket Lab launched the fifth radar imaging satellite for Japanese company Synspective Aug. 2, continuing work with its largest commercial customer.
- Rocket Lab "Owl For One, One For Owl" Launch Thread!
Owl For One, One For Owl
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-08-02 16:39 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (NZST) | 2024-08-03 04:39 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customers | Synspective | | Payload | StriX satellite | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into desired orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdikUDvKYmc | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svnhIFuI4ro |
Stats
- This will be the 9th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 51st overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
> StriX Launch 5 > >This is the first of a bulk buy of two Electron launches by Synspective to deliver their StriX satellites to low Earth orbit. StriX satellites can collect data with a ground resolution of 1-3m and a swath width of more than 10-30km. Each Electron launch will deliver 1 StriX satellite into orbit. This will be the overall 5th StriX satellite launched by Rocket Lab for Synspective.
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Previous mission: No Time Toulouse
Next mission: A Sky Full Of SARs
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a relatively new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- A Comparison of Electric and Chemical Propulsion in the Era of Low Launch Costs — Dawn Aerospacewww.dawnaerospace.com A Comparison of Electric and Chemical Propulsion in the Era of Low Launch Costs — Dawn Aerospace
Delft, The Netherlands - 18 July 2024 Electric propulsion systems (EP) have gained popularity in the low Earth orbit (LEO) propulsion market over the last decade, largely due to their lower launch costs. This is driven by their relatively high fuel efficiency (specific impulse - Isp) which reduces
- Dawn's Mk-II cleared for supersonic flight tests - SpaceNewsspacenews.com Dawn's Mk-II cleared for supersonic flight tests
Dawn Aerospace is poised to begin supersonic testing of its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane.
Dawn aerospace looking good
- Sir Peter Beck unplugged: “Transporter can do it for free for all we care” | Ars Technicaarstechnica.com Sir Peter Beck unplugged: “Transporter can do it for free for all we care”
"Look, there's no accidental monopoly. They are a ruthless competitor."
Pretty cool interview with Sir Peter
- Rocket Lab "No Time Toulouse" Launch Thread!
No Time Toulouse
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-06-20 18:13 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (NZST) | 2024-06-21 06:13 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customers | Kinéis | | Payloads | Kinéis 1-5 | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into Low Earth Orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYpQkHw9s1I | Everyday Astronaut | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjEdn_6evjs | The Launch Pad |
Stats
- This will be the 8th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 🎉 50th 🎉 overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
> First batch of five satellites for the French Kinéis IoT constellation designed to operate with 25 nanosatellites of 30 kg each. The constellation will enable Kinéis, a company backed by private and public investors including the French government’s space agency CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) and CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites) an international space-based solutions provider, to improve its global IoT connectivity.
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Previous mission (PREFIRE And Ice) | Next mission (Owl For One, One For Owl)
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a relatively new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- Synspective orders 10 Rocket Lab Electron launchesspacenews.com Synspective orders 10 Rocket Lab Electron launches
Japanese radar imaging company Synspective has signed a contract for 10 Electron launches from Rocket Lab, the largest contract in Rocket Lab's history.
- Rocket Lab wins government support to expand solar cell productionspacenews.com Rocket Lab wins government support to expand solar cell production
Rocket Lab has lined up nearly $50 million in federal and state funding to help expand a New Mexico solar cell factory.
- Electron launches second NASA PREFIRE cubesatspacenews.com Electron launches second NASA PREFIRE cubesat
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the second of a pair of NASA cubesats designed to monitor infrared emissions at the Earth’s poles.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/16232325
- Peter Beck receives knighthoodwww.nzherald.co.nz King's Birthday Honours: Peter Beck, Theresa Gattung and Joan Withers receive top gongs
Two dames and a knight have been named from the business community.
>Former Telecom chief executive Theresa Gattung, high-profile company director Joan Withers and Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck have been given titular honours. > >The appointment of a trio of businesspeople among the four new knights and dames is in stark contrast to the prior year’s list when, of the seven people given titles, the only business leader was company director Jo Brosnahan.
Congratulations, Sir Peter Beck!
- Rocket Lab "PREFIRE And Ice" Launch Thread!
PREFIRE And Ice
Just a week after the first PREFIRE spacecraft were launched, it's time for part two!
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-06-05 03:00 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (NZST) | 2024-06-05 15:00 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customers | NASA | | Payloads | PREFIRE | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into Sun-Synchronous Orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBBhzkNzcYQ (scrub) | Everyday Astronaut | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyw7FyMzsgI (scrub) | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFygbJ4BiSs
Stats
- This will be the 7th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 49th overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
>The PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission will send two CubeSats into space to study how much heat the planet absorbs and emits from its polar regions, including the Arctic and Antarctica. > >Analysis of PREFIRE measurements will inform climate and ice models, providing better projections of how a warming world will affect sea ice loss, ice sheet melt, and sea level rise. Improving climate models can ultimately help to provide more accurate projections on the impacts of storm severity and frequency, as well as coastal erosion and flooding.
Previous mission (Ready, Aim, PREFIRE) | Next mission (No Time Toulouse)
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a relatively new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- Electron launches first NASA PREFIRE Earth science cubesatspacenews.com Electron launches first NASA PREFIRE Earth science cubesat
Rocket Lab launched the first of two NASA Earth science cubesats on an Electron rocket May 25, exactly seven years after the company’s first launch.
- Rocket Lab "Ready, Aim, PREFIRE" Launch Thread!
Ready, Aim, PREFIRE
Another month, another Rocket Lab launch!
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-05-25 07:28 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (NZST) | 2024-05-25 19:28 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customers | NASA | | Payloads | PREFIRE | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into Sun-Synchronous Orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7nYAJ4dZP4 | Everyday Astronaut | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFwfQQLz7Q0 | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS-3rieuK6E
Stats
- This will be the 6th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 48th overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
>The PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission will send two CubeSats into space to study how much heat the planet absorbs and emits from its polar regions, including the Arctic and Antarctica. > >Analysis of PREFIRE measurements will inform climate and ice models, providing better projections of how a warming world will affect sea ice loss, ice sheet melt, and sea level rise. Improving climate models can ultimately help to provide more accurate projections on the impacts of storm severity and frequency, as well as coastal erosion and flooding.
Previous mission (Beginning Of The Swarm) | Next mission (PREFIRE And Ice)
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a relatively new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- Rocket Lab pushes back Neutron debut to 2025spacenews.com Rocket Lab pushes back Neutron debut to 2025
As Rocket Lab prepares to begin tests of the first Archimedes engine, it says that Neutron won’t be ready for its first flight before the middle of 2025.
Only slightly disappointing, and not too surprising. It's honestly pretty impressive how little the timeline has slipped so far. Neutron was announced in 2021 with a target launch date in 2024. If it takes only 33% longer, that will still be pretty quick for rocket development.
- Rocket Lab announces supplier agreements for military satellite projectspacenews.com Rocket Lab announces supplier agreements for military satellite project
Rocket Lab announces supplier agreements for military satellite project
- Rocket Lab Completes Archimedes Engine Build, Begins Engine Test Campaign | Business Wirewww.businesswire.com Rocket Lab Completes Archimedes Engine Build, Begins Engine Test Campaign
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has comp
- Solar Sail CubeSat Has Deployed from Rocket - Small Satellite Missionsblogs.nasa.gov Solar Sail CubeSat Has Deployed from Rocket - Small Satellite Missions
NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is confirmed to have deployed from Rocket Lab’s Electron kick stage. The satellite has reached low Earth orbit to
- New solar sail technology launches on Rocket Lab flight - NASASpaceFlight.comwww.nasaspaceflight.com New solar sail technology launches on Rocket Lab flight - NASASpaceFlight.com
A potential new way to travel through space launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from…
>A potential new way to travel through space launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 located on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. > >The mission, named “Beginning of the Swarm,” put two payloads into a Sun-synchronous orbit. The flight lifted off at 22:32 UTC on April 23, 2024. > >One of the two payloads aboard the mission is NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3). The goal is to test a new composite that can be folded up inside something as small as a CubeSat and still deploy and remain rigid once in space. > >For this test, the solar sail is designed to fit inside a 12-unit (12U) CubeSat, which measures approximately 23 by 23 by 34 centimeters (9 by 9 by 13 inches). This is comparable to the size of a microwave. > >A solar sail involves deploying a large metallic sheet that acts like the sail on a sailboat. Similar to a boat, it uses a boom to extend the sails. Rather than using chemical or electrical propulsion, these sails use sunlight and solar wind to help push a spacecraft or satellite. > >For this mission, flying the sail is objective number two. The first objective is to unfold the entire sail in approximately 25 minutes and see how well it holds up.
>Once unfurled, the square-shaped sail will measure approximately 9 meters (30 feet) per side.
- Rocket Lab "Beginning Of The Swarm" Launch Thread!
Beginning Of The Swarm
Well folks, it's time for the 5th Rocket Lab launch of the year!
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-04-23 22:32 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (NZDT) | 2024-04-24 10:32 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customers | NASA, KAIST | | Payloads | ACS3, NeonSat-1 | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into Sun-Synchronous Orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9izutzETw1U | Everyday Astronaut | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RsjdotByms | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui5seaIDzMQ
Stats
- This will be the 5th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 47th overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
>## ACS3 > >NASA’s ACS3 technology demonstration uses composite materials - or a combination of materials with different properties, in its novel, lightweight booms that deploy from a CubeSat to support a solar sail. Just as a sailboat is powered by wind in a sail, solar sails employ the pressure of sunlight for propulsion, eliminating the need for conventional rocket propellant. Data obtained from the ACS3 demonstration will guide the design of future larger-scale composite solar sail systems that could be used for space weather early warning satellites, near-Earth asteroid reconnaissance missions, or communications relays for crewed exploration missions.
>## NeonSat-1 > >NeonSat-1 is a high-resolution optical satellite that will be deployed as a technology demonstration for a planned future Earth observation constellation. KAIST is Korea’s leading science and technology institution, having developed and operated Korea’s very first satellite KAIST when it was successfully launched more than 30 years ago.
Previous mission (Live and Let Fly (NROL-123)) | Next mission (Ready, Aim, PREFIRE)
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a brand new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- An... interesting analogy from Peter Beck
Link to tweet.
>The way to compete against SpaceX, Beck said, “is to outsmart them and outwork them. You have to be the mosquito, that is for sure. And you have to be very agile. … The crazy thing about a mosquito is that it’s kind of annoying, but there’s a nonzero chance that you might get bit, get malaria and die,” he said.
- Rocket Lab Returns Previously Flown Electron to Production Line in Preparation for First Reflightinvestors.rocketlabusa.com Rocket Lab Returns Previously Flown Electron to Production Line in Preparation for First Reflight
The carbon composite first stage tank from the Electron rocket, successfully launched and recovered in January this year, has entered back into the standard Electron production line to undergo final acceptance testing and qualification ahead of reflight. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket ...
- Rocket Lab wins $14.4 million contract to launch Space Test Program experimentspacenews.com Rocket Lab wins $14.4 million contract to launch Space Test Program experiment
Rocket Lab wins $14.4 million contract to launch Space Test Program experiment
- Electron launches NRO mission from Wallopsspacenews.com Electron launches NRO mission from Wallops
Rocket Lab launched a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office from Virginia March 21, the company’s second launch in as many weeks.
- Rocket Lab "Live and Let Fly" (NROL-123) Launch Thread!
Live and Let Fly (NROL-123)
Well folks, it's time for another Rocket Lab launch, and the first launch out of Wallops this year!
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2024-03-21 06:40 | | --- | --- | | Scheduled for (local, EDT) | 2024-03-21 02:40 | | Scheduled for (NZDT) | 2024-03-21 19:40 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-2, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron + Curie | | Customer | USA National Reconnaissance Agency | | Payload | NROL-123 | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of spacecraft into Earth Orbit |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link | | --- | --- | | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coa3GZtotQo | Everyday Astronaut | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akOkDFQibLs | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2yUpimXf8k
Stats
- This will be the 4th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
- This will be the 46th overall launch for Rocket Lab.
Payload info:
>NROL-123 is a classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Agency.
Previous mission (Owl Night Long) | Next mission (NeonSat-1 & ACS3)
Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re a brand new community, so feedback is very valuable!
- Neutron launch pad update (2023-03-18)
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1769840689737855447
>Neutron’s launch site is taking shape. > >While we’re gearing up for the next Electron launch from @NASAWallops in the coming days, here’s what the Neutron team have been up to on the new pad right next door. > >!
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1769841445010329698
>Concrete is flowing fast on the launch mount, a dedicated new pad for Neutron designed to enable rapid turnaround between missions. > >! > >!
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1769841701693358489
>Just a 5-minute drive from the pad, the Neutron Integration Facility is under construction. It’s from this facility that completed Neutron rockets will roll out to the pad before taking to the skies. > >!
