SECO confirmed! The Kick Stage has successfully separated to its elliptical orbit as planned. It will remain in this coast until the Curie engine ignites to circularize its orbit for payload deployment in around an hour.No webcast for payload deployment on this mission per customer request, so stay tuned on X for confirmation of payload deployment.
Perfect transfer orbit for flight 54.
The road to orbit, paved by Electron. Missed the launch? Catch the replay: youtube.com/live/Pku19e-MH…📸 @Joseph_Baxter_
Payload deployed,100% mission success!
From contract signing to launch in less than 10 weeks. That's responsive launch in action. Learn more:
From Contract to Space in Less Than Ten Weeks: Rocket Lab Launches its 54th Electron MissionLong Beach, California. 05 November, 2024. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 54th Electron mission, deploying a single satellite to Low Earth Orbit for a confidential commercial customer.The ‘Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitudes’ mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 11:54 pm on November 5th, 2024. The mission was Rocket Lab’s 12th Electron launch this year, continuing to best the Company’s previous record of 10 annual launches achieved in 2023. Electron remains the world’s third most frequently launched rocket annually by vehicle type, and the United States’ second most frequently launched rocket annually.Today’s mission was launched less than ten weeks from the mission’s launch contract signing, making it one of the Company’s fastest turnarounds yet from contract to launch. Historically it was typical to take years from contract signing to launch, causing bottlenecks and limited launch opportunities for satellite operators. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket revolutionized this by making it possible for customers to book and launch in just weeks, enabling them to test technologies faster, begin generating revenue from constellations earlier, or gather urgent data from orbit at near on-demand timelines. This business model is enabled by standardized rapid production of Electron launch vehicles, responsive launch sites, proven and established launch systems, and an experienced team capable of delivering rapid call-up launch year-round. Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Another successful launch showcasing all the best attributes of the Rocket Lab team and Electron: a streamlined process from contract to orbit, pinpoint deployment accuracy, and a responsive service tailored exactly to the customer’s needs. Now 12 for 12 this year across commercial, civil, and national security missions, I’m proud of the team for delivering launch after launch as we continue to deliver a record year across launch and space systems.”A replay of today’s launch broadcast can be found at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream.Details of Rocket Lab’s next launch will be announced shortly.ENDS
About as close to lift-off as you can get. Sound up 🔊
CelesTrak has GP data for 1 object from the launch (2024-201) of an undisclosed payload atop an Electron rocket from Mahia Peninsula, NZ on Nov 5 at 1054 UTC: https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-launches-undisclosed-commercial-payload/. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2024-201.
QuoteCelesTrak has GP data for 1 object from the launch (2024-201) of an undisclosed payload atop an Electron rocket from Mahia Peninsula, NZ on Nov 5 at 1054 UTC: https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-launches-undisclosed-commercial-payload/. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2024-201.
The secret commercial sat launched on the most recent Electron has been cataloged by Space Force as 'Protosat-1', with country Rwanda. This essentially confirms it is a sat for E-Space, which registered its putative satcon with the ITU via Rwanda as a flag of convenience