SPARC-1 – Spaceflight Now

March 23, 2023

Breaking News

[ March 22, 2023 ] Relativity’s 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket reaches space, but falls short of orbit Mission Reports
[ March 22, 2023 ] Penultimate Delta rocket to launch next month on ULA’s first mission of 2023 Delta 4
[ March 21, 2023 ] Good weather expected for Relativity Space’s late-night launch attempt Mission Reports
[ March 21, 2023 ] Webb telescope sees the prelude to a supernova Mission Reports
[ March 20, 2023 ] Virgin Orbit pauses operations amid financial troubles Mission Reports

Rocket Lab deploys experimental U.S. military smallsats on first night launch

May 5, 2019 Stephen Clark

On its first nighttime launch, Rocket Lab’s Electron booster climbed into orbit Sunday from New Zealand with a trio of small U.S. military payloads, demonstrating the privately-developed rocket’s ability to help meet the Air Force’s growing demand for smallsat launches.

Live coverage: Rocket Lab launches three U.S. military smallsats

May 4, 2019 Stephen Clark

Three experimental satellites sponsored by the U.S. military lifted off on an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab’s commercial spaceport in New Zealand on Sunday at 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT).