Rocket Lab – Page 13 – Spaceflight Now

Rocket Lab pushes back second Electron launch to Sunday

December 7, 2017 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab plans to roll out the company’s second light-class Electron rocket to its launch pad in New Zealand on Thursday for final countdown preparations, but officials have delayed liftoff to no earlier than Sunday night, U.S. time.

Rocket Lab to launch second orbital-class rocket as soon as next week

December 1, 2017 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab has scheduled the launch of its second Electron rocket from New Zealand as soon as Dec. 7, U.S. time, on a test flight that will aim to deploy three small CubeSats in orbit.

Second Electron rocket shipped to New Zealand launch site

November 16, 2017 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab’s second flight-ready Electron rocket has arrived at its launch base in New Zealand for the company’s first mission to deliver commercial satellites into orbit.

Rocket Lab finishes test flight inquiry, plans second launch later this year

August 13, 2017 Stephen Clark

The inaugural test flight of Rocket Lab’s commercial small satellite booster in May fell short of orbit because a software programming error on a piece of ground equipment led a safety officer to send a premature termination command, and the company is planning to deliver the next Electron vehicle to its New Zealand launch pad in October.

Q&A with Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab

August 11, 2017 Stephen Clark

Peter Beck, the founder and chief executive of Rocket Lab, recently discussed the outcome of the company’s first attempted orbital test flight and plans for future missions.

Rocket Lab chief says maiden launch result maintains pace for commercial service

May 30, 2017 Stephen Clark

The result of last week’s inaugural test flight of Rocket Lab’s Electron satellite launcher from New Zealand, which reached space but was unable to enter orbit, positions the company for two more demonstration missions in the coming months before the privately-operated booster enters commercial service by the end of the year, Rocket Lab’s chief executive said.

Videos: Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket lifts off for first time

May 25, 2017 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab’s Electron commercial satellite launcher lifted off from New Zealand on its debut test flight Thursday and soared into space on its maiden mission.

Maiden flight of Rocket Lab’s small satellite launcher reaches space

May 25, 2017 Stephen Clark

The debut launch of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from a privately-operated base in New Zealand made it to space Thursday, proving the performance of major parts of the booster before faltering short of the velocity it needed to enter orbit, the company said in a statement.

Rocket Lab waits for improved weather for test flight of new commercial launcher

May 24, 2017 Stephen Clark

Worsening weather at Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch facility forced officials to call off the liftoff of a new commercial satellite booster for the third straight day Tuesday.

Rocket Lab delays debut of new launcher to dodge bad weather

May 23, 2017 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab, a company eyeing a market to launch small satellites, said Monday that bad weather at its privately-operated launch base on New Zealand’s North Island kept a commercial Electron booster from lifting off on its maiden test flight for the second day in a row.