Rocket Lab's first launch from the U.S. is set for between July and September (Q3 2020), as the company just rolled out an Electron rocket at LC-2 in Virginia for the first time.The STP-27RM mission will launch an Air Force micro-sat.
The first Rocket Lab launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, is now third in line on the company’s flight manifest [Flight 15], according to Morgan Bailey, a Rocket Lab spokesperson. She said the first Electron launch from a new pad at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport — located on NASA-owned property at the Wallops Flight Facility — is expected in August or September.
Flight 15 will be Wallops.
... in september.
Construction is closing out on our LC-2 Integration and Control Facility (ICF) within the Wallops Research Park, adjacent to @NASA_Wallops Main Base. The ICF houses a launch control center, state-of-the-art payload integration facilities & vehicle integration department.
The build has been carried out in just a few short months thanks to the tireless support of Virginia Space, Governor Northam, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, NASA & Accomack County. Thanks for supporting us to deliver a new launch capability to the nation!
Yesterday our team completed a successful wet dress rehearsal at Launch Complex 2 in Virginia. With this crucial step out of the way, we're close to our first launch from U.S. soil!The Electron vehicle and ground systems performed flawlessly and our team is ready to go. Before a launch date can be set, NASA is carrying out the final development and certification of its Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) software for the mission. This flight will be the first time an AFTS has been has flown from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and represents a valuable new capability for the spaceport.Learn more about our first mission from LC-2 here: https://bit.ly/35Nn7aK
LOxed and loaded" is an appropriate way to describe recent progress at LC-2. Looking forward to get Electron off the pad with our partners Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA), Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for the United States Space Force
Any chance of photographing Electron and Antares together, poised on their pads?
This launch is no longer flight 15, so I would presume launch is NET October.https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/new-blog-post-2/"Rocket Lab To Launch Commercial Earth-Imaging Rideshare Mission For Planet, Canon ElectronicsThis rideshare mission will be Electron’s 15th launch overall and fifth in 2020, making Electron the second most-frequently launched U.S. rocket this year."
Quote from: Rocket LabThe vehicle and ground systems performed flawlessly and our team is ready to go! Before a launch date can be set, NASA is conducting the final development and certification of its Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) software for the mission.
The vehicle and ground systems performed flawlessly and our team is ready to go! Before a launch date can be set, NASA is conducting the final development and certification of its Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) software for the mission.
Another Electron ready for launch. Wet dress rehearsal completed today for the mission after next. Team is running multiple concurrent launch campaigns.
