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Rocket Lab delivers on dedicated launch for Astro Digital
A technology demonstration microsatellite for Astro Digital rode a Rocket Lab Electron launcher into orbit Wednesday (U.S. time) from New Zealand, setting the stage for the debut of new systems on the next Electron flight as engineers move closer to retrieving and reusing the rocket's first stage.
VideoLive coverage: Rocket Lab launches for fifth time this year
An experimental microsatellite built and owned by Astro Digital, a California-based company, rode Rocket Lab's Electron rocket into orbit at 9:22 p.m. EDT Wednesday (0122 GMT Thursday) from New Zealand.
Rocket Lab preps for commercial satellite launch this week
Rocket Lab's fifth flight of the year is set for liftoff as soon as Wednesday (U.S. time) carrying a small experimental satellite to orbit for Astro Digital, a Silicon Valley company aiming to demonstrate technologies in space after an earlier focus on Earth observation.
Rocket Lab launch fulfills initial block of BlackSky Earth-imaging satellites
The fourth and last spacecraft in BlackSky's initial flock of commercial Earth-imaging microsatellites successfully launched Monday aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket with three other payloads, setting the stage for the final assembly and launch of at least 20 more BlackSky orbiting surveillance platforms starting later this year.
VideoLive coverage: Rocket Lab launches four satellites
Three days after high winds scrubbed a launch attempt Friday, Rocket Lab launched an Electron rocket with four satellites from New Zealand at 1212 GMT (8:12 a.m. EDT) Monday.
Smallsat companies teaming up on deorbit experiment
TriSept Corp. has announced plans for a commercial technology demonstration mission set for launch next year on a Rocket Lab Electron vehicle to test a deployable conductive tape, made by Tethers Unlimited, that could help small satellites more quickly fall out of orbit at the end of their missions.
VideoRocket Lab to begin booster recovery experiments later this year
Rocket Lab's next launch from New Zealand, set for Friday, will carry a data recorder to measure the aerothermal environments encountered by the Electron launcher's first stage during descent back into the atmosphere, information engineers say is crucial to successfully achieving the company's newly-announced plan to recover and reuse the booster.
Rocket Lab announces August launch with commercial and military satellites
Rocket Lab's next launch from New Zealand in August will carry four small spacecraft into orbit for BlackSky's Earth-imaging constellation, the U.S. Air Force, and a French startup developing a fleet of maritime surveillance satellites, the company announced Monday.
VideoMade in Space wins NASA contract to 3D-print satellite structures in orbit
NASA awarded a $73.7 million contract Friday to the California-based startup Made in Space for a 3D-printing demonstration using a free-flying small satellite to additively manufacture solar array beams in space.
Rocket Lab flies again from New Zealand as work progresses at Virginia launch pad
Rocket Lab's third flight of the year delivered seven small commercial, military and educational satellites into orbit Saturday after a launch from New Zealand, while construction of a new launch pad in Virginia continues on pace for completion by the end of the year.