Electron Archives

Rocket Lab plans for a second recovery attempt of their Electron rocket

Seth Kurkowski - Apr 8th 2021 12:16 pm PT @SethKurk

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Late last year Rocket Lab attempted its first recovery of an Electron rocket. Under the power of parachutes, the “Return to Sender” booster splashed down off the coast of New Zealand. While this booster didn’t return in a perfect reusable state, their next booster might fair better.

[Update: Launched!] Rocket Lab prepares for next Electron launch, ‘They Go Up So Fast’

Derek Wise - Mar 22nd 2021 11:18 am PT @derekiswise

Launch Rocket Lab Electron

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Rocket Lab is preparing for the 19th Mission of their Electron later today, at 6:30 pm Eastern time. This rideshare launch, “They Go Up So Fast”, will deliver 7 satellites into orbit for customers including BlackSky, the University of New South Wales, and the US Army’s Space and Missile Defense command.

Rocket Lab details next steps toward reusing future Electron boosters in 2021 after first splashdown [Updated]

Seth Kurkowski - Dec 2nd 2020 9:07 am PT @SethKurk

Rocket Lab Electron Peter Beck

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Shortly after Rocket Lab successfully launched its “Return to Sender” mission last week, the company shared today that it had successfully recovered the booster. This is the first time in Rocket Lab’s history that it has recovered a flight proven rocket booster. Rocket Lab joins the ranks of SpaceX in executing booster recovery with intent to re-fly.

Watch Rocket Lab’s mesmerizing footage of Electron booster separation in space

Zac Hall - Nov 25th 2020 4:51 am PT @apollozac

Rocket Lab Electron

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Rocket Lab’s latest video from space is only 32-seconds long, but you may want to set aside several minutes to roll the tape a few hundred times. It’s that good. The launch company shared the first-ever look at booster stage separation of its Electron rocket from space. Visually and sonically, you have to experience this for yourself.

Rocket Lab’s next Electron launch, set for December 12, is called ‘The Owl’s Night Begins’

Nicholas Terry - Nov 24th 2020 12:30 pm PT

Rocket Lab Electron

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Rocket Lab has announced that its next Electron launch will take place on December 12 at 5:09 a.m. EST. The mission, named “The Owl’s Night Begins,” will mark Rocket Lab’s 17th overall mission.

Rocket Lab sending Half-Life payload to space for Valve’s Gabe Newell in charity campaign

Zac Hall - Nov 2nd 2020 11:05 am PT @apollozac

Rocket Lab Electron Gabe Newell Valve

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Rocket Lab’s 16th Electron mission will be a must-watch event when the small-sat launcher lifts off later this month. Gabe Newell, co-founder of game development company Valve, is donating $1 to charity for every viewer who watches the launch stream. What’s the Valve connection? Rocket Lab can explain:

Rocket Lab’s return to flight: ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical!’ lifts off this week

Zac Hall - Aug 24th 2020 1:26 pm PT @apollozac

Rocket Lab Electron Capella Space Sequoia

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California-based launch company Rocket Lab experienced an unexpected loss of vehicle in space after a successful liftoff from New Zealand in July. The development halted Rocket Lab’s increasingly steady cadence of sending customer payloads to space, but a quick discovery of the issue at fault minimized the launch provider’s time grounded.

Later this week, Rocket Lab will attempt its 14th Electron rocket mission from Launch Complex 1 at the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. The mission called ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical!’ will deploy a satellite called Sequoia for Capella Space.

Rocket Lab experiences first Electron mission failure since original flight test in 2017

Zac Hall - Jul 7th 2020 1:41 pm PT @apollozac

Rocket Lab Electron

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Rocket Lab ended its streak of 11 successful Electron rocket launches in a row on Saturday, July 4. The 13th flight of Electron resulted in a loss of vehicle about 10 minutes after what appeared to be a successful launch.

Rocket Lab launching satellite payload for NASA from New Zealand

Zac Hall - Jun 11th 2020 12:14 am PT @apollozac

NASA Launch Rocket Lab Electron

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Updates June 10-June 12:

Liftoff from New Zealand will be at 10:13 p.m. PT/1:13 a.m. ET.
Launch countdown is currently on hold due to high wind speeds in the area. The clock will recycle to T-12 minutes if weather improves.
Out of hold! 2:08 a.m. ET liftoff.
Hold again at 2:06 a.m. ET. 13 minutes left to recycle the countdown to T-12 minutes before the launch window closes until tomorrow.
Scrubbed due to wind speeds on first launch attempt. Next attempt will be June 13, 12:43 a.m. ET.
New launch target: June 13, 12:53 a.m. ET … now 1:12 a.m. ET.
Success!

Rocket Lab plans to launch payloads into space for three customers including NASA this week from its launch site in New Zealand. The small satellite launch service provider will use its Electron rocket to deploy satellites in Earth orbit on a mission called “Don’t Stop Me Now” as soon as Thursday, June 11.