Tag: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab Readies Electron for Space Force–NASA DiskSat Test Flight

Space News reports, “A U.S. Space Force and NASA experiment is set to launch later this week to test a new small-satellite architecture designed for operations in very low Earth orbit. Four flat, disk-shaped satellites known as DiskSats are scheduled to launch no earlier than 12:00 a.m. Eastern on Dec. 18 aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, Virginia. The mission, designated STP-S30, was accelerated from an initial target of spring 2026.”
Full Story (Space News)

Rocket Lab Launches JAXA Tech Demo Satellite atop an Electron Rocket

Space News reports, “A Rocket Lab Electron rocket successfully launched a technology demonstration satellite for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Dec. 13 as the company reshuffles its launch manifest. The Electron lifted off from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 10:09 p.m. Eastern. The payload, JAXA’s Rapid Innovative Payload Demonstration Satellite-4, or RAISE-4, was deployed into a 540-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit nearly 55 minutes later.”
Full Story (Space News)

Rocket Lab Successfully Launches HASTE Vehicle with Payloads for MDA and DIU

Defense Daily reports, “Rocket Lab [RKLB] on Tuesday announced the successful launch of a suborbital mission using its HASTE launch vehicle with missile defense technology payloads operating for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Defense innovation Unit (DIU). The company said the launch took place at its Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Va., on the morning of Nov. 18.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)

Video

Rocket Lab Launches Earth-observing Radar Satellite to Orbit in 6th Mission for Japanese Company iQPS

SPACE reports, “Rocket Lab launched its sixth mission for the Japanese Earth-imaging company iQPS this afternoon (Nov. 5) from its seaside pad in New Zealand. An Electron rocket carrying the QPS-SAR-14 satellite, nicknamed Yachihoko-I, lifted off from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site today at 2:51 p.m. EST (1951 GMT; 8:51 a.m. on Nov. 6. local New Zealand time).”
Full Story (SPACE)

Video

Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observation satellite. (Launch occurs at the 00:10 mark)
VideoFromSpace; YouTube

Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 3 Opens in Virginia

Via Satellite reports, “Rocket Lab hosted the opening of its Launch Complex 3 in Virginia on Thursday. The site at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport will serve as the test, launch, and landing facility for its Neutron rocket in development. Rocket Lab built the site in less than two years after starting construction in late 2023. It is the company’s fourth launch site — the launcher has two pads at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, and also operates Launch Complex 2 at the Virginia spaceport.”
Full Story (Via Satellite)

Video

Rocket Lab hosts the opening of its Launch Complex 3
Rocket Lab; YouTube

Rocket Lab Launches Electron Rocket from New Zealand

SPACE reports Rocket Lab launched an Electron rocket from New Zealand on June 26. The rocket carried a trio of “radio frequency geolocation microsatellites and a fourth experimental satellite dubbed ‘Kestrel-0A’. The group was released into a polar low-Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 320 miles (520 kilometers).”
Full Story (SPACE)

 Video

Rocket Lab’s ‘Get The Hawk Outta Here’ Mission Launch (Launch takes place at the 18:37 mark)
NASA; YouTube

Rocket Lab Electron Rocket Launches Private Japanese Earth-observing Satellite

SPACE reports, “Rocket Lab launched an Earth-observing satellite for the Japanese company iQPS early Saturday morning (May 17). An Electron rocket lifted off from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site on Saturday at 4:17 a.m. EDT (0817 GMT; 8:17 p.m. local New Zealand time).”
Full Story (SPACE)



 Video

Rocket Lab electron rocket launches private Japanese Earth-observing satellite. (Launch occurs at 19:29)
(Rocket Lab; YouTube)

US Space Force Selects Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to Compete for Future National Security Launches

SPACE reports, “Private launch companies Rocket Lab and Stoke Space have been selected to compete for future U.S. national security space launches. The two launch companies were awarded ‘National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 contracts’ by the U.S. Space Force on March 27, broadening the military branch’s launch options and strengthening access to space.”
Full Story (SPACE)