Author Topic: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher  (Read 738456 times)

Offline Dalhousie

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #880 on: 05/16/2017 07:03 am »
Let's hope the gyros are ;)
Is this the first Southern Hemisphere orbital launch?

Ninth.  Four from Woomera ( two successes).  Four from San Marco platform off Kenya (all successful).
Apologies in advance for any lack of civility - it's unintended

Offline QuantumG

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #881 on: 05/16/2017 07:30 am »
Human spaceflight is basically just LARPing now.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #882 on: 05/16/2017 09:15 am »
Quote
Rocket Lab‏ Verified account @RocketLabUSA 54s54 seconds ago

We successfully completed a wet dress rehearsal at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 today. Let's hope for the same weather next week! #ItsaTest

https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/864408476096659457

Online jamesh9000

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #883 on: 05/16/2017 09:42 am »
The current weather forecast is for sun and minimal wind on the 22nd, however forecasts six days out are always iffy, doubly so in the trade latitudes

Offline Star One

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RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #884 on: 05/16/2017 09:46 am »
Let's hope the gyros are ;)
Is this the first Southern Hemisphere orbital launch?

Do you mean launch by a Southern Hemisphere country, or orbital launch from the Southern Hemisphere?
« Last Edit: 05/16/2017 09:50 am by Star One »

Offline Skyrocket

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #885 on: 05/16/2017 10:21 am »
Let's hope the gyros are ;)
Is this the first Southern Hemisphere orbital launch?

Ninth.  Four from Woomera ( two successes).  Four from San Marco platform off Kenya (all successful).

I count 15 orbital launch attempts from the southern hemisphere:

* 9 Scouts from San Marco (all successful)
* 1 Redstone Sparta from Woomera (successful)
* 3 Europa-1 from Woomera (all failures)
* 2 Black Arrows from Woomera (one success, one failure)

List:

Scout-B                 26.04.1967    SM         San Marco 2
Redstone Sparta         29.11.1967    Wo LA-8     Wresat
Europa-1                29.11.1968 F  Wo LC-6A    STV 1
Europa-1                02.07.1969 F  Wo LC-6A    STV 2
Europa-1                12.06.1970 F  Wo LC-6A    STV 3
Black Arrow             02.09.1970 F  Wo LA-5B    Orba (X 2) / R-2 Instrument Package
Scout-B                 12.12.1970    SM         Explorer 42 (SAS A, Uhuru)
Scout-B                 24.04.1971    SM         San Marco 3
Black Arrow             28.10.1971    Wo LA-5B    Prospero (X 3)
Scout-B                 15.11.1971    SM         Explorer 45 (SSS A)
Scout-D1                15.11.1972    SM         Explorer 48 (SAS B)
Scout-D1                18.02.1974    SM         San Marco 4
Scout-B1                15.10.1974    SM         Ariel 5 (UK 5)
Scout-F1                07.05.1975    SM         Explorer 53 (SAS C)
Scout-G1                25.03.1988    SM         San Marco 5
« Last Edit: 05/16/2017 10:22 am by Skyrocket »

Offline Star One

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #886 on: 05/16/2017 11:03 am »
Let's hope the gyros are ;)
Is this the first Southern Hemisphere orbital launch?

Ninth.  Four from Woomera ( two successes).  Four from San Marco platform off Kenya (all successful).

I count 15 orbital launch attempts from the southern hemisphere:

* 9 Scouts from San Marco (all successful)
* 1 Redstone Sparta from Woomera (successful)
* 3 Europa-1 from Woomera (all failures)
* 2 Black Arrows from Woomera (one success, one failure)

List:

Scout-B                 26.04.1967    SM         San Marco 2
Redstone Sparta         29.11.1967    Wo LA-8     Wresat
Europa-1                29.11.1968 F  Wo LC-6A    STV 1
Europa-1                02.07.1969 F  Wo LC-6A    STV 2
Europa-1                12.06.1970 F  Wo LC-6A    STV 3
Black Arrow             02.09.1970 F  Wo LA-5B    Orba (X 2) / R-2 Instrument Package
Scout-B                 12.12.1970    SM         Explorer 42 (SAS A, Uhuru)
Scout-B                 24.04.1971    SM         San Marco 3
Black Arrow             28.10.1971    Wo LA-5B    Prospero (X 3)
Scout-B                 15.11.1971    SM         Explorer 45 (SSS A)
Scout-D1                15.11.1972    SM         Explorer 48 (SAS B)
Scout-D1                18.02.1974    SM         San Marco 4
Scout-B1                15.10.1974    SM         Ariel 5 (UK 5)
Scout-F1                07.05.1975    SM         Explorer 53 (SAS C)
Scout-G1                25.03.1988    SM         San Marco 5

Being from the UK I was a bit irked to see people forgetting Black Arrow.

Offline LouScheffer

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #887 on: 05/16/2017 02:05 pm »
Let's hope the gyros are ;)
Is this the first Southern Hemisphere orbital launch?
Ninth.  Four from Woomera ( two successes).  Four from San Marco platform off Kenya (all successful).
I count 15 orbital launch attempts from the southern hemisphere:
Technically, there may be more.  SeaLaunch launched 31 times from a platform that was supposed to be right on the equator.  Depending on minor positioning errors, at least some of them may have been from the Southern Hemisphere.

Offline jcm

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #888 on: 05/16/2017 02:57 pm »
Let's hope the gyros are ;)
Is this the first Southern Hemisphere orbital launch?
Ninth.  Four from Woomera ( two successes).  Four from San Marco platform off Kenya (all successful).
I count 15 orbital launch attempts from the southern hemisphere:
Technically, there may be more.  SeaLaunch launched 31 times from a platform that was supposed to be right on the equator.  Depending on minor positioning errors, at least some of them may have been from the Southern Hemisphere.

Oooh, nice nitpick point! Now we need to ask SeaLaunch for their GPS readings at launch time for each of their missions....
-----------------------------

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http://planet4589.org

Offline Space Ghost 1962

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #889 on: 05/16/2017 03:26 pm »
Let's hope the gyros are ;)
Is this the first Southern Hemisphere orbital launch?
Ninth.  Four from Woomera ( two successes).  Four from San Marco platform off Kenya (all successful).
I count 15 orbital launch attempts from the southern hemisphere:
Technically, there may be more.  SeaLaunch launched 31 times from a platform that was supposed to be right on the equator.  Depending on minor positioning errors, at least some of them may have been from the Southern Hemisphere.

Oooh, nice nitpick point! Now we need to ask SeaLaunch for their GPS readings at launch time for each of their missions....

Or, IIRC, there's a mission plan associated with each launch contract, that has that as well. And a mission summary as well. So you have more than a few ways to get that. There are a few of the former SeaLaunch personnel hanging around here like kq6ea, along with some former Boeing ILS who keep a low profile.

Offline douglas100

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #890 on: 05/16/2017 04:01 pm »
Looking like a "real" rocket with the LOX frosting! Good luck with the test.
Douglas Clark

Offline gongora

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #891 on: 05/16/2017 05:37 pm »
FAA License for 3 test flights (found via Jeff Foust tweet)

Edit:
Quote
Rocket Lab USA is authorized to conduct three test launches of Electron launch vehicles from Rocket Lab Launch Complex (RLLC) in New Zealand, with each transporting an inert payload to low Earth orbit.
...
(c) On a launch azimuth of 174 degrees
« Last Edit: 05/16/2017 05:49 pm by gongora »

Offline ringsider

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #892 on: 05/16/2017 07:53 pm »
FAA License for 3 test flights (found via Jeff Foust tweet)

Edit:
Quote
Rocket Lab USA is authorized to conduct three test launches of Electron launch vehicles from Rocket Lab Launch Complex (RLLC) in New Zealand, with each transporting an inert payload to low Earth orbit.
...
(c) On a launch azimuth of 174 degrees

There we go. Also now on the FAA website

https://www.faa.gov/data_research/commercial_space_data/licenses/

FAA CST has control of Rocket Lab activities and the New Zealand launch site.

Hard to argue anymore that this is not a US launcher.
« Last Edit: 05/16/2017 11:05 pm by ringsider »

Offline CameronD

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #893 on: 05/16/2017 11:23 pm »
The current weather forecast is for sun and minimal wind on the 22nd, however forecasts six days out are always iffy, doubly so in the trade latitudes

Presumably you meant to say "outside of the trade latitudes"??

Although protected by the West Island to some extent and most of the North for the first few thousand feet or so, the Mahia launch site lies right on the edge of the "Roaring Forties" and, with a successful launch likely to end up in either the "Furious Fifties" or "Screaming Sixties", believe me, this is a long way south of the trades!
With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine - however, this is not necessarily a good idea. It is hard to be sure where they are
going to land, and it could be dangerous sitting under them as they fly overhead.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #894 on: 05/17/2017 09:13 am »
Quote
Rocket Lab Verified account @RocketLabUSA 11m11 minutes ago

Rutherford is specifically designed for Electron and is the first of its kind to use 3D printing for all primary components #ItsaTest

https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/864767665839230977
« Last Edit: 05/17/2017 09:13 am by FutureSpaceTourist »

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #895 on: 05/17/2017 06:20 pm »
Quote
SPACEFLIGHT PURCHASES AN ELECTRON ROCKET FROM ROCKET LAB FOR MORE FREQUENT, AFFORDABLE RIDESHARE TO SPACE

MAY 17, 2017 JODI SORENSEN
Purchase reflects an increasing demand for mid-inclination orbits from small satellite industry

SEATTLE – May 17, 2017 — Spaceflight, the company reinventing the model for launching small satellites into space, today announced the purchase of a Rocket Lab Electron rocket to increase the frequency of its dedicated rideshare missions. The Electron is an ideal launch vehicle for dedicated and rideshare missions, especially those serving difficult-to-come-by launch destinations such as mid-inclination orbits for remote sensing satellites. In late 2015, Spaceflight began its dedicated rideshare launch service with the purchase of a SpaceX Falcon 9 and now expands the rocket partnership to Rocket Lab with the Electron.

Spaceflight purchases a Rocket Lab Electron for additional rideshare opportunities

Dedicated rideshare for smallsats is a new launch alternative that blends cost-effective rideshare pricing (where several payloads share the same launch to a specific destination) with first-class service, typically associated with buying a private rocket. Spaceflight provides multiple launch options to ensure organizations can access space when they need to, at a much lower cost than buying their own launch vehicle.

“There are numerous rideshare launches each year to Sun Synchronous Orbit, but getting to 45 to 60 degrees is hard to find, and can cost the equivalent of buying an entire rocket,” said Curt Blake, President of Spaceflight’s launch business. “We are thrilled to be working with Rocket Lab to enable our customers’ remote sensing missions that require high revisit time over North America, Europe, and the Middle East.”

Peter Beck, Rocket Lab CEO added, “The Electron is an entirely carbon-composite vehicle that is designed to carry payloads of 225kg to an elliptical orbit and up to 150kg to a nominal 500km sun synchronous low earth orbit. We look forward to expanding this relationship and operational manifest with Spaceflight as we increase our market reach and remove the barriers to commercial space.”

Spaceflight has launched more than 100 satellites to date from a variety of launch vehicles including PSLV, Dnepr, Antares, Cygnus, Soyuz and others. The frequency of satellite launches, combined with Spaceflight’s cross-section of customers and variety of mission-applications, is a strong indicator of the growing capabilities of small satellites and the need for more timely and cost-effective access to space.

The companies have not yet announced a date for the Electron dedicated rideshare mission. Organizations interested in learning more about this and other launch options should contact [email protected].

http://www.spaceflight.com/spaceflight-purchases-electron-rocket-rocket-lab-frequent-affordable-rideshare-space/

Offline edkyle99

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #896 on: 05/17/2017 06:36 pm »
FAA License for 3 test flights (found via Jeff Foust tweet)

Edit:
Quote
Rocket Lab USA is authorized to conduct three test launches of Electron launch vehicles from Rocket Lab Launch Complex (RLLC) in New Zealand, with each transporting an inert payload to low Earth orbit.
...
(c) On a launch azimuth of 174 degrees

There we go. Also now on the FAA website

https://www.faa.gov/data_research/commercial_space_data/licenses/

FAA CST has control of Rocket Lab activities and the New Zealand launch site.

Hard to argue anymore that this is not a US launcher.

Ugh.  U.S. paperwork didn't build this rocket.  Kiwi's did!

 - Ed Kyle

Offline TrevorMonty

Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #897 on: 05/17/2017 06:48 pm »
FAA License for 3 test flights (found via Jeff Foust tweet)

Edit:
Quote
Rocket Lab USA is authorized to conduct three test launches of Electron launch vehicles from Rocket Lab Launch Complex (RLLC) in New Zealand, with each transporting an inert payload to low Earth orbit.
...
(c) On a launch azimuth of 174 degrees

There we go. Also now on the FAA website

https://www.faa.gov/data_research/commercial_space_data/licenses/

FAA CST has control of Rocket Lab activities and the New Zealand launch site.

Hard to argue anymore that this is not a US launcher.

Ugh.  U.S. paperwork didn't build this rocket.  Kiwi's did!

 - Ed Kyle
With lot of US funding.

Offline CameronD

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #898 on: 05/18/2017 12:26 am »
Ugh.  U.S. paperwork didn't build this rocket.  Kiwi's did!

 - Ed Kyle
With lot of US funding.

Yeah, well, that's okay..  There is a lot of money in the US and a lot of US-funded projects in NZ (James Cameron's hangout for one), but no matter how much money (and paperwork) they happen to pour in, it's still New Zealand - and still a Kiwi rocket, designed by Kiwis, built by Kiwis (mostly) and launched by Kiwis.

Fingers crossed.. 8)


EDIT:  I should also add "ignored by Kiwis".. but maybe a handful will take notice if/when it's successful launch.
« Last Edit: 05/18/2017 12:31 am by CameronD »
With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine - however, this is not necessarily a good idea. It is hard to be sure where they are
going to land, and it could be dangerous sitting under them as they fly overhead.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: RocketLab Electron Smallsat Launcher
« Reply #899 on: 05/18/2017 09:04 am »
Quote
Rocket Lab‏Verified account @RocketLabUSA 3m3 minutes ago

Mission Control (MCC) is the technological hive of Rocket Lab where more than 25,000 data channels are processed during a launch #ItsaTest

https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/865130082356146176

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