New Zealand – Spaceflight Now

Live coverage: Rocket Lab launch scrubbed

December 13, 2018

Rocket Lab scrubbed a launch attempt late Wednesday (U.S. time) that was set to carry 10 CubeSats to orbit for NASA aboard an Electron rocket. Poor weather at the company’s launch base in New Zealand forced the postponement, and Rocket Lab did not immediately announce a new target launch date.

Rocket Lab preps to launch flock of NASA-funded CubeSats

December 12, 2018

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is set to launch 10 CubeSats developed at NASA field centers and U.S. research institutions Wednesday night (U.S. time) from the company’s privately-owned spaceport in New Zealand, a pathfinder mission that could pave the way for more NASA satellites to hitch a ride on future Electron flights.

Rocket Lab delivers seven payloads to orbit, plans next launch in December

November 11, 2018

Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launched six small satellites and a drag sail demonstrator to orbit Sunday from New Zealand, a success on the company’s first commercial mission that officials said should pave the way for a launch carrying NASA CubeSats next month and up to 16 flights of the light-class rocket next year.

Live coverage: Rocket Lab launches six CubeSats and drag sail demo

November 10, 2018

Rocket Lab’s first operational launch took off from Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand at 10:50 p.m. EST Saturday (0350 GMT Sunday). The Electron rocket is carrying six CubeSats and a tech demo payload into orbit for customers in the United States, Australia, and Germany.

Rocket Lab sets new target date for first operational launch

October 31, 2018

Rocket Lab announced this week it has added two more nanosatellites to the first operational launch of the company’s Electron rocket, which is now scheduled to take off from New Zealand no earlier than Nov. 10, U.S. time, after a multi-month delay to resolve a technical problem.

Rocket Lab’s first commercial launch grounded to fix nagging technical issue

June 28, 2018

Rocket Lab will bypass its current launch window to resolve a recurring problem with a motor controller on the company’s light-class Electron rocket, likely postponing its first commercial satellite launch at least a few weeks.

Rocket Lab’s first commercial launch scrubbed again

June 27, 2018

The liftoff of a Rocket Lab Electron booster from New Zealand with five U.S.- and German-built nanosatellites was grounded Tuesday, U.S. time, after engineers identified a problem with a motor controller on the two-stage launcher.

Ground antenna problem scrubs Rocket Lab’s first commercial launch

June 23, 2018

Problems with a downrange tracking station kept Rocket Lab’s Electron launcher on the ground in New Zealand Friday, U.S. time, and the company ordered a two-day delay to resolve the issues and wait for improved weather. Rocket Lab pushed back the launch again to Tuesday because of unfavorable weather.

Live coverage: Rocket Lab launch attempt scrubbed

June 22, 2018

Rocket Lab called off a launch attempt Tuesday, U.S. time, in New Zealand after encountering a technical problem during the countdown for the company’s first commercial satellite launch. Tuesday’s countdown came after a four-day delay to resolve problems with a downrange tracking station and wait for improved weather.

CubeSats set to ride on Rocket Lab’s first commercial launch

June 22, 2018

Five small satellites, including one built by high school students in Southern California, are awaiting launch Friday from New Zealand aboard the first commercial flight of Rocket Lab’s Electron booster.