Ringside, sounds you know more than Moon Express, Planet labs, NASA and Lockheed Martin. All of these companies have a vested interest in RL flying soon, but what do they know about space flight.
..getting to 10 flights their first year seems to be very optimistic, when SpaceX still hasn't hit that rate..
. It was Ringsider 2019 for first orbital launch at prompted my reply. Given Moon Express place in queue I'd be surprised if they launch in 2017.
Rocket Lab USA has planned to move almost the entire operation home to the US...
THE COUNTDOWN is on for the Rocket Lab test phase, with three rockets close to completion.Two public meetings were held at Mahia over the weekend to keep local people up to date with the launch process. Rocket Lab operations vice-president Shane Fleming said the three test rockets were close to completion.
Rocket Lab USA has planned to move almost the entire operation home to the US. - Wonder if it's to do wit Trump?
Meanwhile, some tidbits but not much new:http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2628964-135/almost-ready-to-rocket-at-mahiaQuoteTHE COUNTDOWN is on for the Rocket Lab test phase, with three rockets close to completion.Two public meetings were held at Mahia over the weekend to keep local people up to date with the launch process. Rocket Lab operations vice-president Shane Fleming said the three test rockets were close to completion.
It's pretty common to launch some payloads even on test launches. At a very steep discount as it's no better than, say 50% odds they'll succeed.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 01/23/2017 01:21 amIt's pretty common to launch some payloads even on test launches. At a very steep discount as it's no better than, say 50% odds they'll succeed.If that's the case, perhaps said payload should have designed-in Plan B capability for "exploration of the depths of the Pacific Ocean".. or at least Plan C "atmospheric sampling" on the way down.
In a Cubesat program, the major cost is usually development (including salary of team), not manufacture.
Quote from: Outer Space on 01/22/2017 05:49 amRocket Lab USA has planned to move almost the entire operation home to the US. - Wonder if it's to do wit Trump? Ha! I'd have thought Trump was a very good reason to move the entire operation home to New Zealand.
Quote from: CameronD on 01/22/2017 11:14 pmQuote from: Outer Space on 01/22/2017 05:49 amRocket Lab USA has planned to move almost the entire operation home to the US. - Wonder if it's to do wit Trump? Ha! I'd have thought Trump was a very good reason to move the entire operation home to New Zealand. "...home to New Zealand"? Isn't it an US company? And as some insider in a leading position assured, the company will move to the homeland.
They do plan to manufacture and launch in USA at some stage. This would be in addition to NZ operation. I think there is some requirements for domestic manufacturing for government launches.