NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => Rocket Lab => Topic started by: harry2680 on 03/09/2018 01:00 pm
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Launch Article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/rocketlab-operational-electron-launch-five-payload/ (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/rocketlab-operational-electron-launch-five-payload/)
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Rocket-
Electron "IT'S BUSINESS TIME"
Satellites-
Lemur-2 82 (to be 72nd in orbit)
Lemur-2 83 (to be 73rd in orbit)
CICERO (?) (to be 6th in orbit)
IRVINE 01
NABEO (will stay on second stage to deploy chute)
Launch Date-
NET July 2018 (As of 29/06/2018)
Articles-
Current Feature:
Rocket Lab announces new launch date, payloads for Its Business Time Electron flight (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/rocket-lab-new-launch-date-payloads-business-time-electron-flight/)
Flight 1:
Rocket Labs Electron conducts inaugural flight from New Zealand (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/05/rocket-labs-electron-inaugural-flight-new-zealand/)
Flight 2:
Rocket Lab successfully conducts second Electron launch (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/rocket-lab-second-electron-launch/)
Previous Features:
Rocket Lab to capitalize on test flight success with first operational mission (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/rocket-lab-capitalize-test-flight-success-first-operational-mission/)
Rocket Lab manifests third flight, aims for expanded flight rate and launch sites (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/rocket-lab-manifests-expanded-flight-rate-launch-sites/)
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There was originally a NOTAM (http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/supplements/aip_supp_1mar18.pdf) from the 1st of March to the 28th, this has been extended in another NOTAM (http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/supplements/aip_supp_29mar18.pdf) till the 25th of April.
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The NSF article says this launch is expected to carry Outernet Mission 1 and ISILaunch cubesats.
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Apparently four SpaceBEE 1U cubesats were originally planned to be on this launch, but as they did not get a FCC licence in the aftermath of the non-licenced launch of their first four 1/4U SpaceBEE satellites, it is doubtful, that these will be on the third Electron launch.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/satellites/fcc-accuses-stealthy-startup-of-launching-rogue-satellites
http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/spacebee-5.htm
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According to this article, the launch should be some time in April, along with a couple of other tidbits of information:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/102179660/rocketlab-says-launch-preparations-not-affected-by-rogue-satellite-concern (https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/102179660/rocketlab-says-launch-preparations-not-affected-by-rogue-satellite-concern)
Rocket Lab spokeswoman Morgan Bailey said the matter was between Swarm and the FCC, and had not caused any delay to preparations for Rocket Lab's next launch, which is tipped to take place in April.
Rocket Lab, founded by Kiwi Peter Beck, was still finalising the payload for what will be its first commercial launch but would not include any satellites on it that did not have the right regulatory approvals, Bailey said.
Rocket Lab had yet to confirm the launch window for its next flight, but the Electron would be transported to its launch site on the Māhia Peninsula in the next few weeks, she said.
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It's Business Time at Rocket Lab
Posted on 13 March 2018
Huntington Beach, California. March 13, 2018: US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has today confirmed its next launch will be the companys first fully commercial flight. Two Lemur-2 cubesats for launch customer Spire Global will be on board the upcoming launch, with the full manifest to be confirmed in coming weeks.
The flights name was put to a vote on social media, with Its Business Time coming out as a clear fan favourite and a continuation of companys previous flight names, Its a Test and Still Testing.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck says Its Business Time highlights Rocket Labs agile approach to responsive space. The launch has been manifested weeks out from launch, rather than the many months or years it can typically take under existing launch models.
We came at the challenge of opening access to space from a new perspective. Building to tail numbers and tailoring a vehicle to the payload is a rigid and slow way of getting satellites on orbit. As the satellite industry continues to innovate at a break-neck pace and the demand for orbital infrastructure grows, were there with a production line of Electron vehicles ready to go and a private launch site licensed for flight every 72 hours. Launch will no longer be the bottleneck that slows innovation in space, he says.
We always set out to test a launch vehicle that was as close to production-ready as possible. To complete a test program so quickly and be flying commercial customers is a great feeling. Its business time, Mr Beck adds.
Rocket Labs third Electron vehicle will be shipped to Launch Complex 1 on New Zealands Māhia Peninsula in coming weeks, where final checkouts will be completed ahead of the Its Business Time launch.
This year Rocket Lab is increasing its launch cadence and scaling up production of the Electron launch vehicle to meet a growing manifest. The company aims to produce 100 Rutherford engines in 2018 from its three-acre headquarters and production facility in Huntington Beach, California. More than 30 engines have already been completed and are undergoing integration onto Electron vehicles.
Rocket Labs first test launch, Its a Test, was completed in May 2017, with the second test, Still Testing, taking place in January 2018. This flight successfully reached orbit, deployed commercial customer payloads for Planet and Spire Global and circularized an orbit using a previously unannounced kick stage.
For real-time updates in the lead up to Its Business Time, follow Rocket Lab on Twitter @RocketLab
http://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/its-business-time-at-rocket-lab/
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So I decided my first tweet should share one of my favorite sights - a brand new #Electron being delivered to Launch Complex 1. #ItsBusinessTime is coming soon.
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/978074847614922752?s=21
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Getting ready for #ItsBusinessTime
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/978842658054524929 (photo attached)
Launch window to be confirmed soon!
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/978844128468439041
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Getting ready for #ItsBusinessTime
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/978842658054524929 (photo attached)
Launch window to be confirmed soon!
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/978844128468439041
Oh, man. Will someone on RocketLab's pad crew please put googly eyes on their clamp.
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Rocket Lab set Friday April 20, 2018 NZT for the first commercial mission with Electron. 14 day window of opportunity. Each day will have a four-hour launch window that will open from 12:30 p.m. NZDT (00:30 UTC).
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Horrid formatting, but:
Rocket Lab to launch first commercial mission this month
Huntington Beach, California, 3 April 2018:
US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has today confirmed it will open a 14-day launch window this month to conduct the company’s first fully commercial launch. The mission, named ‘It’s Business Time’, includes manifested payloads for launch customers Spire Global and GeoOptics Inc., built by Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems.
The 14-day ‘It’s Business Time’ launch window will open on Friday April 20, 2018 NZT. During this time a four-hour launch window will open daily from 12:30 p.m. NZDT (00:30 UTC). ‘It’s Business Time’ will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Licensed to launch every 72 hours, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is the world’s only private orbital launch facility.
Rocket Lab is the only private, dedicated small launch provider globally that has deployed satellites to orbit. ‘It’s Business Time’ marks the fastest transition a private launch provider has made from test program to fully commercial flights. This mission follows just three months after Rocket Lab’s January 21, 2018 launch “Still Testing”, which successfully deployed an Earth-imaging satellite for Planet and circularized the orbit of two weather and AIS ship tracking satellites for Spire Global using Rocket Lab’s in-house designed and built kick stage.
“It’s Business Time represents the shift to responsive space. We always set out to create a vehicle and launch site that could offer the world’s most frequent launch capability and we’re achieving that in record time,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck.
“Rocket Lab is the only small launch provider that has reached orbit and delivered on promises to open access to space for small satellites. We can have payloads on orbit every 72 hours and our rapidly expanding manifest shows this is frequency is critical for the small satellite market,” he added.
Rocket Lab can achieve an unprecedented launch frequency thanks to a vertically integrated vehicle manufacturing process that enables Rocket Lab to roll an Electron vehicle off the production line every week. To meet a burgeoning 2018/19 launch manifest, Rocket Lab has rapidly scaled production of the Electron launch vehicle across its three-acre headquarters and production facility in Huntington Beach, California. The company will produce 100 3D printed Rutherford engines this year to support a monthly launch cadence by the end of 2018.
About Spire Global:
Spire is a data and analytics company that collects data for Earth from space, to help business and governments address previously insurmountable problems affecting everyone on the planet. Its constantly improving constellation of LEO satellites uses listening sensors to listen to the planet in real-time, gaining access to rich and untapped data sources totally off-limits to camera-based technology and inaccessible from the ground. To learn more, visit www.spire.com
About Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems:
For more about Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, visit www.tyvak.com
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Here's a better formatting of the press release.
Rocket Lab to launch first commercial mission this month
Huntington Beach, California, 3 April 2018:
US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has today confirmed it will open a 14-day launch window this month to conduct the company's first fully commercial launch. The mission, named `It's Business Time, includes manifested payloads for launch customers Spire Global and GeoOptics Inc., built by Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems.
The 14-day `It's Business Time launch window will open on Friday April 20, 2018 NZT. During this time a four-hour launch window will open daily from 12:30 p.m. NZDT (00:30 UTC). `It's Business Time will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Licensed to launch every 72 hours, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is the world's only private orbital launch facility.
Rocket Lab is the only private, dedicated small launch provider globally that has deployed satellites to orbit. `It's Business Time marks the fastest transition a private launch provider has made from test program to fully commercial flights. This mission follows just three months after Rocket Lab's January 21, 2018 launch `Still Testing, which successfully deployed an Earth-imaging satellite for Planet and circularized the orbit of two weather and AIS ship tracking satellites for Spire Global using Rocket Lab's in-house designed and built kick stage.
"It's Business Time represents the shift to responsive space. We always set out to create a vehicle and launch site that could offer the world's most frequent launch capability and we're achieving that in record time," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck.
"Rocket Lab is the only small launch provider that has reached orbit and delivered on promises to open access to space for small satellites. We can have payloads on orbit every 72 hours and our rapidly expanding manifest shows this is frequency is critical for the small satellite market," he added.
Rocket Lab can achieve an unprecedented launch frequency thanks to a vertically integrated vehicle manufacturing process that enables Rocket Lab to roll an Electron vehicle off the production line every week. To meet a burgeoning 2018/19 launch manifest, Rocket Lab has rapidly scaled production of the Electron launch vehicle across its three-acre headquarters and production facility in Huntington Beach, California. The company will produce 100 3D printed Rutherford engines this year to support a monthly launch cadence by the end of 2018.
About Spire Global:
Spire is a data and analytics company that collects data for Earth from space, to help business and governments address previously insurmountable problems affecting everyone on the planet. Its constantly improving constellation of LEO satellites uses listening sensors to listen to the planet in real-time, gaining access to rich and untapped data sources totally off-limits to camera-based technology and inaccessible from the ground. To learn more, visit www.spire.com
About Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems:
For more about Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, visit www.tyvak.com
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Rocket Lab can achieve an unprecedented launch frequency thanks to a vertically integrated vehicle manufacturing process that enables Rocket Lab to roll an Electron vehicle off the production line every week. To meet a burgeoning 2018/19 launch manifest, Rocket Lab has rapidly scaled production of the Electron launch vehicle across its three-acre headquarters and production facility in Huntington Beach, California. The company will produce 100 3D printed Rutherford engines this year to support a monthly launch cadence by the end of 2018.
Gee, so can Rocket Lab catch up to the big boys like this? Do they have plans for bigger and better engines and launch vehicles down the road? Will that mainly be dependent upon the pace of evolution of Electron Beam Melting technology?
(I'm assuming that any evolutionary roadmap will be kept under wraps, and that at least in public they'll refrain from talking about anything beyond smallsat launches.
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Rocket Lab, in their short history, has quite a track record for innovation (Electric pumps, thixotropic monopropellants), pushing the envelope (First to orbit with an all-carbon fiber rocket), and keeping things under wraps (Humanity Star and the Curie Engine/kick stage). They have already filed for a trademark for another type of engine called the "Einstein." I'm completely certain that they have a "next step" planned which just hasn't been made public yet. And their success with Electron shows that they have the capability to pull it off.
Blue Origin has a well-publicized motto of "Gradually Ferocious".
SpaceX's should be "Mars or Bust!"
Rocket Lab's could be "Speak softly, and carry a big stick."
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Vehicle checks almost complete, Team is really getting good at this now!
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/981614120301719553
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Tweet (https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/984339753284747265)with a nice photo:
Its Business Time on the pad. Wet dress in the coming days.
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As a Flight of the Conchords Fan, I never thought I'd see something named after them sent into space.
"Two minutes in heaven is better than one minute in heaven" -FOTC "It's Business Time"
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As a Flight of the Conchords Fan, I never thought I'd see something named after them sent into space.
"Two minutes in heaven is better than one minute in heaven" -FOTC "It's Business Time"
It's amazing how many people don't get the reference... even when you link them to the video.
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Apparently Rocket Labs had some issues today while fuelling the rocket for wet dress rehearsal.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12033191
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Apparently Rocket Labs had some issues today while fuelling the rocket for wet dress rehearsal.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12033191
Must have been a little more than "minor" to warrant calling the Fire Service to a site as remote as that.
Fuel spill perhaps?
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I got the impression they were on site anyway, just in case.
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I got the impression they were on site anyway, just in case.
Indeed, that's pretty normal for rocket launches (or wet dress rehearsals) I believe.
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This week during wet dress rehearsal the team saw some unusual behavior with a motor controller. With only days between rehearsal & window, we want a little extra time to fully review data, so have decided to roll to the next slot in a few weeks. Stay tuned!
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/986252799599042561
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This week during wet dress rehearsal the team saw some unusual behavior with a motor controller. With only days between rehearsal & window, we want a little extra time to fully review data, so have decided to roll to the next slot in a few weeks. Stay tuned!
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/986252799599042561
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-moves-its-business-time-launch-window/
Rocket Lab will move the Its Business Time launch, scheduled between 20 April 3 May, to the next available launch window in coming weeks. The shift comes after pad team identified some unusual motor controller behavior during a wet dress rehearsal carried out this week. With just days between rehearsal and window opening, the call to move to the window is a conservative one made to allow the team additional time to review data.
Rocket Lab is able to operate with schedule flexibility and move into different windows as a result of operating its own private orbital launch site.
The new launch window is due to open in the coming weeks with defined dates to be confirmed soon.
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Latest tweet (https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/996997715908182017) promises a launch window will be released 'soon'.
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I'm driving by there in two days. It looks like I won't see anything but a locked gate and sign threatening dire consequences for trespassing.
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I'm driving by there in two days. It looks like I won't see anything but a locked gate and sign threatening dire consequences for trespassing.
Photo or didn't happen :D
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What I could get from a little hill 2 miles away. I almost got to a spot 1 mile away, but two guys moving a large flock of bald sheep politely hinted that the job would be easier if I wasn't there.
At least I got a good dinner. The place was closed, but the owner saw me and insisted on feeding me and bringing the whole family in for conversation.
She reminded them to use the term "Rocket enthusiast" because apparently, some people consider "Rocket nut" rude.
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What I could get from a little hill 2 miles away. I almost got to a spot 1 mile away, but two guys moving a large flock of bald sheep politely hinted that the job would be easier if I wasn't there.
At least I got a good dinner. The place was closed, but the owner saw me and insisted on feeding me and bringing the whole family in for conversation.
She reminded them to use the term "Rocket enthusiast" because, apparently, some people considered "Rocket nut" rude.
Well, now I really want to know whether unlicensed cafes are a problem in NZ?
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What I could get from a little hill 2 miles away. I almost got to a spot 1 mile away, but two guys moving a large flock of bald sheep politely hinted that the job would be easier if I wasn't there.
At least I got a good dinner. The place was closed, but the owner saw me and insisted on feeding me and bringing the whole family in for conversation.
She reminded them to use the term "Rocket enthusiast" because, apparently, some people considered "Rocket nut" rude.
That's a lot of rocket sheep (and rocket cows). :D
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What I could get from a little hill 2 miles away. I almost got to a spot 1 mile away, but two guys moving a large flock of bald sheep politely hinted that the job would be easier if I wasn't there.
At least I got a good dinner. The place was closed, but the owner saw me and insisted on feeding me and bringing the whole family in for conversation.
She reminded them to use the term "Rocket enthusiast" because, apparently, some people considered "Rocket nut" rude.
Well, now I really want to know whether unlicensed cafes are a problem in NZ?
Whether it's a problem depends on what you like to drink with dinner.
(I believe it's the local shorthand for "licensed to serve alcohol").
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That's a lot of rocket sheep (and rocket cows). :D
Also, several rocket horses.
All I could get from the locals was that launch day travel by non residents down the 30km goat track to the site was strongly discouraged by the authorities. A phrase that means many things depending on where you are.
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That's a lot of rocket sheep (and rocket cows). :D
Also, several rocket horses.
All I could get from the locals was that launch day travel by non residents down the 30km goat track to the site was strongly discouraged by the authorities. A phrase that means many things depending on where you are.
You'll probably be alright.
It's an American launch site and you're an American. :)
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That's a lot of rocket sheep (and rocket cows). :D
Also, several rocket horses.
All I could get from the locals was that launch day travel by non residents down the 30km goat track to the site was strongly discouraged by the authorities. A phrase that means many things depending on where you are.
I'm not sure RL would appreciate term goat track, considering how much money was spent upgrading it.
Hope you are enjoying your holiday.
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That's a lot of rocket sheep (and rocket cows). :D
Also, several rocket horses.
All I could get from the locals was that launch day travel by non residents down the 30km goat track to the site was strongly discouraged by the authorities. A phrase that means many things depending on where you are.
I'm not sure RL would appreciate term goat track, considering how much money was spent upgrading it.
By international (American anyways) standards, I'd reckon most New Zealand roads would be considered goat tracks. Fortunately, there aren't all that many goats to hit whilst driving on them.. :)
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South Island highways are excellent. North Island highways are okay, but suburban roads are atrocious 'goat tracks' full of potholes; particularly Auckland :(
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That's a lot of rocket sheep (and rocket cows). :D
Also, several rocket horses.
All I could get from the locals was that launch day travel by non residents down the 30km goat track to the site was strongly discouraged by the authorities. A phrase that means many things depending on where you are.
I'm not sure RL would appreciate term goat track, considering how much money was spent upgrading it.
Hope you are enjoying your holiday.
But thats where the Rocket Goats are ;)
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Hmm.. With all this talk of Mahia wildlife and a rocket that's taking it's jolly-old-time going anyplace, I do wonder what a stowaway possum might do to the rocket's trajectory if not spotted prior to lift-off.
How about bird poo? Can the avionics compensate for that??
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The road upgrades were actually the biggest problem. They're in progress and there are a few sections where you have to grind uphill through six inches of loose aggregate.
I just wish launch time would have been closer. The sheep station crew a mile from the pad was friendly but busy. They seemed interested that I was their Texas counterpart and I probably could have swung a perch on a hill a mile from the pad on launch day.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
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Shane Fleming, Rocket Lab: fixed issue with motor controller son Electron that postponed launch last month. Shipping vehicle back to the launch site in the coming weeks. #SpaceTechExpo
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/998995887526367232
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ARTICLE: Rocket Lab announces new launch date, payloads for Its Business Time Electron flight -
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/rocket-lab-new-launch-date-payloads-business-time-electron-flight/
- By Chris Gebhardt
Thanks to Rocket Lab for working with us on this, giving us an embargoed release to myself and Chris G (and personally, as opposed to those nameless bulk e-mails). Really nice touch.
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FCC filing for IRVINE01.
FCC File Number: 0108-EX-CM-2018 IRVINE01
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As a Flight of the Conchords Fan, I never thought I'd see something named after them sent into space.
"Two minutes in heaven is better than one minute in heaven" -FOTC "It's Business Time"
It's amazing how many people don't get the reference... even when you link them to the video.
I must admit I didn't see the reference until now :D
May as well include a link to the music video clip in this thread. Too bad 23 June isn't a Wednesday ::)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPlW9DiCRDM
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Its Business Time, again
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1006994936338702336
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WDR for "It's business time" complete!
https://www.facebook.com/RocketLabUSA/?hc_ref=ARSM3C1E4AONIy2o9vlEjOyQYI9e0PvbRF9gNu77OsdfjxVE4J7AVJYr0E04tM3ukH0&fref=nf (https://www.facebook.com/RocketLabUSA/?hc_ref=ARSM3C1E4AONIy2o9vlEjOyQYI9e0PvbRF9gNu77OsdfjxVE4J7AVJYr0E04tM3ukH0&fref=nf)
The team conducted a perfect wet dress rehearsal today at Launch Complex 1. #ItsBusinessTime is ready for flight next week!
Launch window opens 12:30 pm, Saturday 23 June (00:30 UTC).
The live webcast will be available approximately 15 minutes prior to launch at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream
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Press Kit released: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/Its-Business-Time-Press-Kit.pdf
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Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
Jun 19
The team is ready. Electron is primed. T-3 days. #ItsBusinessTime. Another stunning shot from launch team member @Kieran__Fanning
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1009203455519481856
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Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
Jun 20
T-2 days. #ItsBusinessTime
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1009552151964602368
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Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
6 hours ago
We're launching the incredibly exciting @irvinecubesat satellite on #ItsBusinessTime, built by high school students in Irvine, California. It's such a privilege to open access to orbit for projects like this.
@IPSFinfo #CubeSats #TimeToFly
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1009982334123180032
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Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
9 hours ago
T-1 day. Electron is ready. Team is ready. Weather is looking good. #ItsBusinessTime
Launch window opens 12:30 pm, 23 June NZT (00:30 UTC)
Livestream at http://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream , on our YouTube channel & http://www.facebook.com/RocketLabUSA . Webcast begins approx 20 mins before target T-0
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1009925164937588736
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Here's the weather report from the NZ MetService.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1806/S00060/metservice-on-site-for-planned-rocket-lab-launch.htm
"Locals, spectators and the team at Rocket Lab should experience some settled weather and sunshine on Saturday as the company prepares for its second orbital launch off the Mahia Peninsula."
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Marine Exclusion Zone. Hopefully the boaters will be paying attention this time!
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/mahia-information/marine/
"A Marine Safety Zone could be active between 11:00am - 5:00pm from from Saturday 23 June - Friday 6 July 2018."
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and NOTAMs
B3640/18 - TEMPO RESTRICTED AREA NZR494 (MAHIA, HAWKE'S BAY) ACT. REF AIP SUP 59/18. SFC - 13500FT AMSL, 23 JUN 00:00 2018 UNTIL 23 JUN 05:05 2018. CREATED: 17 JUN 22:58 2018
B3639/18 - DANGER AREA NZD493 (MAHIA, HAWKE'S BAY) ACT. REF AIP SUP 59/18. SFC - FL999, 23 JUN 00:00 2018 UNTIL 23 JUN 05:05 2018. CREATED: 17 JUN 22:56 2018
B3638/18 - DANGER AREA NZD023 (EAST AUCKLAND OCEANIC FIR) ACT. REF AIP SUP 59/18. SFC - FL999, 23 JUN 00:00 2018 UNTIL 23 JUN 05:05 2018. CREATED: 17 JUN 22:54 2018
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Launch article by Chris Gebhardt:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/rocketlab-operational-electron-launch-five-payload/
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Webcast link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOG-pQ4aJhE
The live webcast will begin approx 20 minutes prior to target T-0 time.
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https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010247318396796928
Welcome to launch day! We're currently targeting liftoff no earlier than 12:50 pm NZST (00:50 UTC). Live webcast starts approx 20 mins prior to target T-0 at http://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream
#ItsBusinessTime #Electron
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Rocket Lab does not have a NOAA remote sensing license. I wonder if they will have to cut the second stage feed right before they reach orbit?
https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html
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If we're still on the timeline (which we should be as Rocket Lab hasn't tweeted an update to the 12:50 UTC launch time), we're just under 3hrs to go. Teams should be fueling Electron with RP-1 at this time.
Next major milestone is at T-2hrs 30mins when personnel will evacuate the pad ahead of the start of LOX load at T-2hrs.
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Rocket Lab does not have a NOAA remote sensing license. I wonder if they will have to cut the second stage feed right before they reach orbit?
https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html
It depends if it applies to launches from Foreign soil.
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Rocket Lab does not have a NOAA remote sensing license. I wonder if they will have to cut the second stage feed right before they reach orbit?
https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html
It depends if it applies to launches from Foreign soil.
It should, for the same reason they need an FAA launch license. NOAA says:
Who is Required to Apply for a License?
It is unlawful for any person who is subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States, directly or through any subsidiary or affiliate to operate a private remote sensing space system without possession of a valid license issued under the Act and the regulations.
https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html
Beck said in his Reddit AMA two months ago:
We're working with NOAA to understand where it all sits.
https://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/8a1wwy/i_am_peter_beck_ask_me_anything_about_rocket_lab/dwvciws/
Maybe they can piggyback on the Lemur license (https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/files/spire_global_lemur2_publicly_releasable_summary.pdf)?
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Under 2hrs now. At this point, Rocket Lab's Launch Control teams should be stepping into LOX loading of Electron.
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If we're still on the timeline (which we should be as Rocket Lab hasn't tweeted an update to the 12:50 UTC launch time), we're just under 3hrs to go. Teams should be fueling Electron with RP-1 at this time.
Next major milestone is at T-2hrs 30mins when personnel will evacuate the pad ahead of the start of LOX load at T-2hrs.
Livestream is set to start at 12:50 UTC, does that indicate a launch time of around 1:10? Or is it just counting down to the actual scheduled launch?
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It is counting down to the "expected/targeted" launch time. However with past times....the actual launch is very fluid.
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T-1hr and counting. At this time, the New Zealand aviation authority will start advising pilots of the aerial launch hazard areas for today's launch of Electron -- effectively closing airspace around the pad and the down-range flight trajectory.
-
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
3 hours ago
Electron is vertical on the pad at Launch Complex 1. Mahia putting on a stunning day for launch. #ItsBusinessTime
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010261550790164480
-
Spire
@SpireGlobal
3 hours ago
@RocketLab's Electron is vertical, and our #smallsats are ready to fly! Watch it live, 5:50 PST https://buff.ly/2lrPGSA
https://twitter.com/SpireGlobal/status/1010270291673563136
-
Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck
59 minutes ago
So incredibly proud of the team, they are ready to take us to orbit again.
https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1010298085707091968
-
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
27 seconds ago
LOX fill is underway. Currently targeting a T-0 of 14:27 NZST (02:27 UTC). We had a brief hold this morning while we waited for some vehicle components to warm up. It's a chilly day at LC1! ❄️
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010313173256138754
-
@RocketLab
7m7 minutes ago
More
Electron looking frosty on the pad at LC-1 as it's filled with LOX. Currently at T-1 hour. #ItsBusinessTime
-
@RocketLab
7m7 minutes ago
More
Electron looking frosty on the pad at LC-1 as it's filled with LOX. Currently at T-1 hour. #ItsBusinessTime
Image from the above tweet.
-
Here's a higher resolution version. I click on the image and then save the image to my computer.
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010333373938610176
-
T-30 minutes. Webcast should begin in fifteen.
-
Already dressed up for launch and Wednesday night.
Hope launch is not scrubbed otherwise there are going to be lot of smelly feet at RL. See 2nd photo.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180623/f9677b0baf0fa7cb625888beda59fa57.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180623/6a1e5dbf6c3b2f70c13a7b94f6448e05.jpg)
-
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
8 seconds ago
Holding at T-23 minutes while we configure a down range telemetry asset. #ItsBusinessTime
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010343336522072065
-
HOLD.
Down-range telemetry asset.
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010343336522072065
@RocketLab
Holding at T-23 minutes while we configure a down range telemetry asset. Hold
-
Still holding, but YouTube is still counting down to previous launch time.
Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck
3 minutes ago
Just holding for a few minutes to check out some down range tracking assets.
https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1010345744681713664
-
and now per Youtube it is the Rocket Lab Webcast waiting game.
-
Its a four hour window, which ends in two hours time. Hopefully, plenty of time to get this baby off the ground.
-
One hour delay.
Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck
34 seconds ago
Looking like it will be an hour. Tracking dish on one of our remote sites.
https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1010354455340961792
-
Rocketlab YouTube clock has started. Showing T-37 minutes. T-0 is 0401 UTC.
-
And we're back at the T-30 minute mark per the YouTube clock.
-
Rocketlab YouTube clock has started. Showing T-37 minutes. T-0 is 0401 UTC.
Are we 100% sure that's official confirmation? Why have they not said anything publicly in the 10 mins that have followed this?
-
Unless there's a tweet from Rocket Lab, this "T0" is currently unofficial.
-
Yeah, they could have just pushed the webcast about an hour and landed on that.
-
Rocket Lab confirms there is no target T0
@RocketLab
Replying to @WhaangaPeter
Still holding. Window remains open until 04:30 UTC
-
With Rocket Lab still holding at T-23mins, the count will have to resume by 04:07 UTC (00:07 EDT) in order to make the window today.
-
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
13 seconds ago
Still holding. Window remains open until 04:30 UTC
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010367278452432898
-
At this point, the teams have 10 minutes left to resolve the issue and resume the count to make an end-of-window attempt.
-
Webstream has gone live, but is only showing RocketLab logo.
-
Mission Control Auckland has confirmed a scrub for today.
-
We got a picture.
Its a Scrub!
-
Downrange ground station in the Chatham Islands has caused a SCRUB for the day. Evaluating weather options for upcoming days.
-
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
48 seconds ago
Scrubbed for the day.
-
Webcast has ended.
-
Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck
35s seconds ago
Electron is healthy but we have not been able to resolve an issue with one of our down range tracking dishes in the Chatham Islands. Ironically this is also required for a solid live stream.
-
In case you were wondering where Chatham Islands are. Looks to be South East of launch site.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Islands
-
In case someone missed the short broadcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAMI1IoMow0
-
I'm not surprised by the scrub. If it had been delayed another hour or so; it would be a night launch.
-
Next attempt is this Monday.
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
16 minutes ago
No launch attempt tomorrow. Team is standing down due to weather. Meantime, crews are on their way to Chatham Islands with spare parts for the dish that caused today's scrub. Next attempt on Monday 25 June NZST, weather pending.
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010381159606378496
-
Rocket Lab:
"It's Business Time launch update: The down range tracking dish is now up and running, but weather conditions for Monday 25 June NZST are unfavorable so no launch attempt tomorrow. Now targeting no earlier than 12:30 pm, Tuesday 26 June NZST (00:30 UTC) for launch"
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1010798687356792834
-
Now the 27th:
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1011058187833708546
-
Here's the Weather Map from the above tweet.
"Forecast poor weather continues tomorrow, so we're going to take it as a rest day to give us wider windows later in the week. Currently targeting no earlier than 12:30 pm (00:30 UTC) Wednesday 27 June for launch. #EverythingIsJustRightOnAWednesday"
-
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
1 hour ago
T-1 day. #ItsBusinessTime
Another stunning snap at Launch Complex 1 from @Kieran__Fanning
-
Launch in a few hours still looks on (at least according to one RocketLabs person):
It's Wednesday. You know what time is it. #ItsBusinessTime
https://twitter.com/lisastoj/status/1011685505832894466
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1011704684887699457
Electron is vertical on the pad! Winds are high at LC-1, but forecast to ease closer to the window. Today's 4-hour launch window opens at 12:30 pm NZST (00:30 UTC). Livestream at http://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream . Webcast starts approx. 20 mins prior to target T-0.
-
Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck
3m3 minutes ago
More
T-0 set to 02:10 UTC, weather improving.
-
LOX load underway!
https://mobile.twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1011757650055315457
-
Livestream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHPtSfjoF8A
-
Here's the photo that Peter Beck posted.
-
We should be -- if all is on schedule -- at T-57mins and COUNTING at this point.
-
We're at T-30 minutes, according to the livestream timer.
-
SCRUB.
@RocketLab
Following Following @RocketLab
More
The team has identified an issue with the motor controller, so we're scrubbing for the day to review data. Stay tuned for updates!
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1011787184200749057
-
@Peter_J_Beck
Following Following @Peter_J_Beck
More Peter Beck Retweeted Rocket Lab
Looks like we did not totally resolve the controller from last attempt. Similar behaviour.
https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1011789360323104768
-
Here's the photo that went with Rocketlab's tweet.
-
Judging by the fact we hadn't heard anything so far today, I would assume there will be no launch attempt tonight?
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1012077664822128640
No launch attempt today. The team is taking the day to review data from yesterday's motor controller issue. New target T-0 is being assessed.
-
Hopefully this means quicker than the previous delay:
Will be back on the pad shortly. #OnlyPerfectIsGoodEnough
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1012219566317944832
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1012210728663519233
The team is standing down from this launch window to take a closer look at the motor controller behavior again. We're still not happy with the data, and as we all know, the only metric that counts in the launch business is 100% mission success.
-
Rocket Lab media release:
Its Business Time: Launch Update
Huntington Beach, California. June 27, 2018: Rocket Lab is standing down from the Its Business Time launch window following identification of an issue with motor controller behavior during pre-launch checks on 27 June 2018, NZST.
The motor controller behavior was similar to that previously identified during wet dress rehearsal operations in April. This issue was analysed and corrective measures in place, however a similar issue presented during yesterdays pre-launch operational checks. All systems had previously performed nominally during a wet dress rehearsal on 16 June NZST. A motor controller is a device that governs commands given to selected hardware and software systems throughout the launch vehicle.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said the team will take additional time to review data before a new launch window will be confirmed.
Our test program was about making it to orbit and deploying our first customer satellites. Having achieved that and moved into commercial operations, mission assurance is our focus for every customer flying on Electron, he said. Theres only one measure that matters in the launch industry and thats 100 per cent mission success. Well take some time to review the data and tweak whatever we need to ahead of a new launch window to make sure we achieve that.
Rocket Lab will confirm a new launch window once the data review is complete.
-
For those wondering what a motor controller is, this article has a good summary. Basically it is a circuit board that has digital electronics like a PIC microcontroller chip and analogue electronics like MOSFET transistors. You send digital signals to the PIC which then controls the MOSFETs which then sends high voltages and currents to your electrical motors. Presumably, the Rocketlab motor controller are the ones for the Rutherford fuel and oxidiser pumps. The motor controller also has the ability to monitor the currents and voltages going to the motor and this is presumably where the anomalous signals are being seen. Hard to say what is going wrong, but since the signals were OK in the first test and not OK in the second test, it could be that something in the test procedure is damaging the electronics.
https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/motor-drivers-vs-motor-controllers.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4bUJDV2ok
-
To be extra-super-double-pendantic, at high motor powers the 'motor controller' is split into two parts:
- The 'brains' of the controller that take "I want speed X" and determines what sequence of voltages and currents need to energise which windings at which times in order to achieve that commanded speed without releasing the magic blue smoke.
- Multiple power amplifiers that take the low-level outputs from the controller and actually produce the voltages and currents required using the power supply rails.
Problems can occur in either stage. The power amplifiers can be working perfectly but the motor controller is commanding them to produce the wrong output, or the controller can be commanding the correct output but the power amplifier is unable to achieve it in practice (e.g. commanding too high a current slew rate resulting in voltage transients).
-
Launch delay, date/time TBD
SFN, Rocket Labs first commercial launch grounded to fix nagging technical issue (https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/06/28/rocket-labs-first-commercial-launch-grounded-to-resolve-nagging-technical-issue/), dated June 28
Rocket Lab will bypass its current launch window to resolve a recurring problem with a motor controller on the companys light-class Electron rocket, officials said Thursday, likely postponing its first commercial satellite launch at least a few weeks.
The indefinite delay is the second time the U.S.-New Zealand launch company, which is on the cusp of commencing commercial launch services after two test flights, has given up on a two-week launch window to examine the motor controller issue.
The team is standing down from this launch window to take a closer look at the motor controller behavior again. Were still not happy with the data, and as we all know, the only metric that counts in the launch business is 100% mission success, Rocket Lab tweeted Thursday.
Peter Beck, Rocket Labs founder and CEO, tweeted that the mission will be back on the pad shortly at the companys launch site at Mahia Peninsula, located on New Zealands North Island.
-
November is the new NET.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/08/rocket-lab-return-november-follow-nasa-launch/
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1054541637475479552
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1056982622256062464
Fleet Space Technologies joins Rocket Lab manifest for Its Business Time mission
Fleets two Proxima satellites are the first scheduled launch of commercial CubeSats from an Australian company
Adelaide, Australia and Huntington Beach, California. EMBARGOED until 6:00 am, Monday 29 October PDT. US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has signed a contract with fast-growing Internet of Things (IoT) start-up Fleet Space Technologies to launch two satellites that will form the foundation of a global IoT communications constellation. The two Proxima satellites are the first of a fleet of small, low-cost satellites that will provide internet connectivity for millions of sensor devices based in remote locations on Earth.
The satellites have been added to the manifest for Rocket Labs upcoming mission, Its Business Time, scheduled for launch in November from Rocket Labs Launch Complex-1 on New Zealands Māhia Peninsula. The payloads were manifested quickly, with just weeks passing between signing the agreement and the satellites completing integration for launch next month. This rapid manifesting process is crucial to small satellite customers, offering flexible and frequent launch opportunities.
The Fleet satellites will be launched inside Rocket Labs in-house designed and built Maxwell dispenser. They join the current Its Business Time payloads of two Spire Global Lemur-2 satellites, the Irvine CubeSat STEM Program (ICSP) IRVINE01 educational CubeSat, NABEO, a drag sail technology demonstrator designed and built by High Performance Space Structure Systems GmBH and a GeoOptics Inc. satellite, built by Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems.
The Proxima I and II satellites are a pair of identical 1.5 U CubeSats designed and built by Fleet. The satellites will mark the first commercial tests of Fleets software-defined radios, enabling it to transmit data efficiently across both S-band and L-band frequencies in space. The satellites will ultimately help form the beginning of a constellation of more than 100 nanosatellites that, together, will act as a dedicated Internet of Things (IoT) space network for enterprises across the world.
Rocket Lab Chief Executive, Peter Beck, said Fleet Space Technologies is one of the key leaders in Australias emerging commercial space industry. Were thrilled to add Fleets Proxima satellites to the Its Business Time manifest. Fleets planned constellation of more than 100 satellites will enable greater connectivity across the globe and provide better access to data about our planet.
Were proud to offer a rapid and agile approach to launching small satellites one that sees customers like Fleet join a manifest and be integrated into the Electron vehicle ready for launch in just weeks, not months or years. This approach supports commercial companies and governments alike to rapidly deploy space-based assets and get them operational faster.
Fleet Space Technologies Chief Executive, Flavia Tata Nardini, who founded Fleet to enable a more efficient world through connectivity, said the rapid manifesting and integration time is a key attraction to Rocket Labs Electron launch vehicle.
We decided to build and launch two more satellites over the past few months and Rocket Lab has moved at the speed of light to incorporate them in this mission, assist us with licensing and complete
integration in record time. We will be in space less than few months after making the decision to join the mission. This rapid turnaround time is what the space industry really needs now.
To see our first commercial CubeSats launched is an incredibly important milestone for us as a business, and it sets us on the path to achieving our goal of connecting Australia, and the world, in ways like never before.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has licensed Fleet to perform satellite telemetry, tracking, and command, and payload data reception across S-band and L-band frequencies. The launches of Proxima I and II also allows Fleet to test longwave and shortwave band frequencies.
The pathfinding payloads on Proxima I and II are scheduled to launch in advance of Fleets larger Centauri satellites, which are set to be launched aboard other launch vehicles in late 2018.
When combined with Fleet's ground terminal, the Portal, Fleets constellation will enable satellite connectivity in remote industries where cellular networks are not present.
The Portal enables businesses to connect up to a thousand devices to private, secure Low Power Wide Area Networks anywhere around the world, at a fraction of the cost of traditional satellite systems. Unlike other IoT gateways, the Portal goes beyond simple data collection and uses embedded edge computing-based software to analyse and select key, targeted data for secure transmission over an array of satellite service options, including Fleets own satellites. This revolutionary approach means the use of IoT in remote industries is now achievable, enabling data-driven decisions that improve productivity and efficiency across a range of industries, including mining, logistics and agriculture.
ENDS
-
The cubesats are neat, but what may be the most significant information is right up front:
........... Nov launch date to be announced this week...
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1056982622256062464
-
This article says the Proxima satellites will "be in orbit after November 11". You can read the whole article by viewing the html source. Fleet are located right here in Adelaide and I know Ms Tata Nardini quite well. To show its a small world, her husband's auntie is the wife of my late father's friend!
https://www.afr.com/business/transport/fleet-chooses-new-zealand-in-nanosatellite-space-race-20181028-h177ku
-
http://www.spacetechasia.com/rocket-lab-to-launch-2-more-satellites-from-australias-fleet-space-in-nov-11-mission/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
The satellites have been added to the manifest for Rocket Labs upcoming mission, Its Business Time, scheduled for launch on November 11 from Rocket Labs Launch Complex-1 on New Zealands Māhia Peninsula.
The Fleet satellites will join other payloads for the launch: two Spire Global Lemur-2 satellites, the Irvine CubeSat STEM Program (ICSP) IRVINE01 educational CubeSat, NABEO, a drag sail technology demonstrator designed and built by High Performance Space Structure Systems GmBH and a GeoOptics Inc. satellite, built by Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems.
The Proxima I and II satellites are a pair of identical 1.5 U CubeSats designed and built by Fleet.
-
November 11:
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1057361750276730880
-
Updated the article on site to cater for the additional payloads and the launch date being set:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/10/rocket-lab-return-november-follow-nasa-launch/
-
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1057723365924851712
-
Does anyone know why salo (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42327.msg1871715#msg1871715) has the launch pushed off until the 19th?
-
Does anyone know why salo (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42327.msg1871715#msg1871715) has the launch pushed off until the 19th?
I don't know, but that's the last day of the window.
twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1057362252834033664
"Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
Oct 30
Launch window
Sunday 11 November Monday 19 November 2018, NZDT
Daily launch opportunities
NZDT: 16:00 20:00
UTC: 03:00 07:00
PST: 19:00 23:00
EST: 22:00 02:00"
-
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1058646444574355457
-
Does anyone know why salo (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42327.msg1871715#msg1871715) has the launch pushed off until the 19th?
I don't know, but that's the last day of the window.
twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1057362252834033664
"Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
Oct 30
Launch window
Sunday 11 November Monday 19 November 2018, NZDT
Daily launch opportunities
NZDT: 16:00 20:00
UTC: 03:00 07:00
PST: 19:00 23:00
EST: 22:00 02:00"
And as salo explained to me, he didn't change to the 19th, he added "-19" to indicate the length of the launch permit. So still on for Nov 11, as far as we see here.
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1059740136617926657
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1059741605790269445
-
Independent verification of going vertical :)
https://twitter.com/deimosimaging/status/1059743151831875586
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1060074460424761344
-
B6216/18 - DANGER AREA NZD023 (EAST AUCKLAND OCEANIC FIR) ACT. REF AIP SUP 76/18. SFC - FL999, 11 NOV 02:30 2018 UNTIL 11 NOV 07:35 2018. CREATED: 04 NOV 23:50 2018
NZD023 East Auckland Oceanic FIR
Upper limit: FL999.
Lower limit: Surface.
Activity: Active when advised by NOTAM between 1810101100
and 1902271059 (0000, THU 11 OCT 18 NZDT and 2359,
WED 27 FEB 19 NZDT); rocket launch activity.
Using agency: Rocket Lab Ltd, Shaun DMello Launch Range Lead
-
B6215/18 - DANGER AREA NZD493 (MAHIA, HAWKE'S BAY) ACT. REF AIP SUP 76/18. SFC - FL999, 11 NOV 02:30 2018 UNTIL 11 NOV 07:35 2018. CREATED: 04 NOV 23:48 2018
B6214/18 - RESTRICTED AREA NZR401 (MAHIA, HAWKE BAY) ACT. SFC - 13500FT AMSL, 11 NOV 02:30 2018 UNTIL 11 NOV 07:35 2018. CREATED: 04 NOV 23:44 2018
-
Cant see anyone else posted this already, but the new Press Kit is out now the launch include 2 additional payloads
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/Its-Business-Time-Press-Kit6.pdf
-
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1060763524673232896
-
TYVAK permit application 0880-EX-CN-2018 filed Nov. 8
6U cubesat for GPS radio occultation
-
Just to be absolutely sure with the international date line and all, are the added dates correct for the first day of the launch window?
It seems obvious now that it’s written down but I wasn’t confident until it was.
For us “stateside” it’s actually Nov 10.
twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1057362252834033664
Launch window
Sunday 11 November – Monday 19 November 2018, NZDT
Daily launch opportunities
NZDT: 16:00 – 20:00 11/11
UTC: 03:00 – 07:00 11/11
PST: 19:00 – 23:00 11/10
EST: 22:00 – 02:00 11/10
-
This case its my local time so easy for me. Would be nice if all launch times on these titles stayed with just UTC , every member should know their local time relative to UTC
-
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1061121887386779648
-
Realigned launch article by Chris Gebhardt:
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1061313764270792704
-
Rocket Lab:
Hello from Rocket Lab Mission Control.
We are currently tracking well for today's Electron launch, 'It's Business Time'.
We are targeting lift-off no earlier than 4:50 pm NZDT. (3:50 UTC/ 19:50 PST/ 22:50 EST)
Weather is currently green.
A live webcast of the launch will be available approximately 20 minutes prior to target T-0 at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream.
You can find more information about this mission in the press kit, available at the link below:
http://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/launch-press-kits/
In the hours following a successful flight, photos and footage from launch will be uploaded to the following link:
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/link-to-rocket-lab-imagery-and-video/
-
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1061358552944529408
-
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1061355099803418624
-
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1061370294961504256
-
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1061377041096892416
-
Rocket Lab
Verified account @RocketLab
6 minutes ago
T-3 hours. #ItsBusinessTime
twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1061420815751643136
-
Youtube link:
It's Business Time Launch Attempt - 11/11/2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPwMuUxSrcA
-
Here we go! 8)
https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1061437984816287744
-
All still go!! ;D
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1061453644464148480
https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1061452931784822784
-
Livestream starting shortly.
-
Livestream starting!
-
Livestream has started.
T-19 minutes.
-
Weather is go. Looking at ground winds.
-
Windsock at far right indicates strong ground winds.
-
Spire video.
-
They gave the separation order of the payloads... which went by too fast for me to note down, did anyone get it?
Edit: ah, youtube is rewindable!
Order is IRVINE, Lemurs, Proxima, CICERO-10, then 50 minute delay till Curie deploys the NABEO dragsail
-
T-15 minutes.
-
T-14 minutes. Go for launch.
-
Polling is go.
-
T-12 minutes. Top clamp opening.
-
T-11 minutes. Tower retracting.
-
T-10 minutes.
-
T-9 minutes. "Don't adjust your set! The view is that beautiful."
-
T-8 minutes. Irvine 01 video.
-
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1061464303029706752
-
T-7 minutes.
-
T-6 minutes. Nabeo is not separating from vehicle.
-
T-5 minutes. Go for launch.
-
T-4 minutes. Range is green.
-
T-3 minutes. Go for autosequence start at T-2 minutes.
-
T-2 minutes. Vehicle is on internal power.
-
T-1 minute. Stage 1 and 2 are pressed.
-
Liftoff!
-
Launch!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1061466472172716032
-
T+1 minute.
-
T+2 minutes.
-
First stage separation.
T+3 minutes.
-
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1061467178954833925
-
Fairing separation.
T+4 minutes.
-
200 km altitude.
T+5 minutes.
-
T+6 minutes.
-
Battery drop
T+7:10
-
T+7 minutes.
-
Hot swap.
T+8 minutes.
-
Cutoff! Nominal transfer orbit.
-
Transfer orbit. Returning at T+45 minutes.
-
35 minute break before coverage returns - in the meantime, we get a good view of the orbit/tracking map.
-
Music by Tim Dodd (Everyday Astronaut!)
-
Upcoming events.
+00:51:00 Curie kickstage ignites
+00:52:45 Engines powering Curie kick stage cut off
+00:54:10 All payloads separated from launch vehicle
-
Where will kick stage fire and are there observation opportunities from the ground?
-
T+15 minutes. Heading towards Antarctica.
-
Where will kick stage fire and are there observation opportunities from the ground?
I'm guessing around over the UK, as they are showing communication ellipses on the map.
-
Where will kick stage fire and are there observation opportunities from the ground?
Given that it's a tiny monopropellant engine, I highly doubt it will be visible from the ground. I could be wrong though!
-
T+20 minutes. Over Antarctica.
-
Still soon enough before sunrise for a visual target, maybe -- weather permitting.
-
Impressive launch, with some very interesting camera views.
-
T+25 minutes. The ground track are tiny red dots which you can make out over the polar regions. Satellite is left of black RocketLab label at bottom right.
-
T+20 minutes. Over Antarctica.
Where will kick stage fire and are there observation opportunities from the ground?
Given that it's a tiny monopropellant engine, I highly doubt it will be visible from the ground. I could be wrong though!
If the plume is sunlit, there's a good chance. The SpaceX launch Oct 7 made a 2-sec deorbit burn over the North Sea an hour before local sunrise and it was seen from Iceland to England to Netherland to Germany to Finland, as a naked-eye object, and picked up on dozen all-sky cameras.
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T+30 minutes. Back over the Southern Ocean.
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If the plume is sunlit, there's a good chance. The SpaceX launch Oct 7 made a 2-sec deorbit burn over the North Sea an hour before local sunrise and it was seen from Iceland to England to Netherland to Germany to Finland, as a naked-eye object, and picked up on dozen all-sky cameras.
The Curie engine is only 120 N, compared to 934,000 N for Falcon 9 upper stage!
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Where will kick stage fire and are there observation opportunities from the ground?
Given that it's a tiny monopropellant engine, I highly doubt it will be visible from the ground. I could be wrong though!
The Curie engine is also "only" 125 Newtons of thrust, about 25 lbs.
Plus there is a tracking circle before Ireland centered on the Azores. The track enters this west of the Sahara, stays way off the coast of Spain, then passes west of Ireland.
A faint light far off shore.
Probably invisible.
JimO has a point about it sunlight increasing the chances, but it's ~4:30 AM in Dublin, and the Sun won't rise for another 2.5 hrs. Dark as a coal sack.
The quotes on "only" 125 N are because it is five times the thrust of the green engine that was supposed to fly on GPIM, and 25 times the thrust of what is being flown. If it succeeds (again) in twenty minutes or so, it will indeed be "Well done, Rocketlab!"
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Music by Everyday Astronaut "The Scale Of It All."
T+40 minutes. Just over Africa.
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Sun elevation angle [per heavens-above.com] about -30 [the driving parameter, NOT time from sunrise] so shadow height about 900 km [per Grahn's Law], so the burn will be in shadow with no chance of visibility, is my latest guess.
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In Azores Island ground ellipse.
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T+45 minutes. Back live.
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Standing by to acquire telemetry. Flight is still nominal.
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In Azores Island ground ellipse.
And six minutes later they announced contact through Azores
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AOS Azores Station.
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Two minutes to ignition.
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One minute to ignition.
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Ignition should be happening now.
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Curie ignition (@51:53)
One minute burn
"Kick stage shut down confirmed"
Lovely simulation of deployments
Three down.
All deployed, Webcast ending
Congratulations, Rocketlab!
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Conformation of ignition.
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Confirmation of cutoff!
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Here come the payloads!
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Irvine 01 separation.
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Lemur-2 separations.
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Proxima I and II and CICERO 10 deployments.
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End of coverage.
Congratulations to RocketLab and all their customers for the successful launch!
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Very nicely done!
Thanks to Steven and all for the coverage!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1061480691051966465
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Congratulations to Rocket Lab. Great to see them in operational business. ;D
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TYVAK permit application 0880-EX-CN-2018 filed Nov. 8
6U cubesat for GPS radio occultation
I missed the detail that the TYVAK satellites don't have FCC licenses because they are Norwegian, even though TYVAK is American, I guess because Norwegian paperwork must be easier?
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Congratulations RocketLab, Spire and the other lil' sat companies. And thanks to Tim Dodd, The Everyday Astronaut for providing the thoughtful tunes while we waited for satellite deployment.
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Huge congrats to everyone involved in the launch!
I'm really excited to see what sort of cadence RocketLab can manage - I believe in the pocket-sized steamroller!
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launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfBCuK6wEYA
satellites deployment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBI8tl3poC8
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Congrats to Rocket Lab on a beauty of a launch. Well done to all involved, here's to many more.
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Congrats RL.
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Nicely done.
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Congratulations, Rocket Lab! It was worth the wait.
See my signature down below.
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11.
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Well done, Rocket Labs.
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Congratulations to Rocket Lab on performing its first commercial mission using its Electron Rocket in its third launch mission.
Rocket Lab performs first commercial launch (https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-performs-first-commercial-launch/)
Rocket Lab successfully launched its Electron rocket Nov. 10 on a long-delayed first commercial mission for the small launch vehicle. The Electron lifted off from the company's Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula at 10:50 p.m. Eastern (4:50 p.m. local time Nov. 11 after a trouble-free countdown. The two-stage rocket released an upper stage, called Curie, into orbit nine minutes after liftoff. Curie ignited its engines 51 minutes after liftoff to go into a circular 500-kilometer orbit at an inclination of 85 degrees. Three minutes later it released its payload of six small satellites.
Those satellites included two Lemur-2 cubesats for Spire, which operates a constellation of such spacecraft to collect weather data as well as track vessels and aircraft. The Cicero-10 small satellite built by Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems for weather satellite constellation company GeoOptics was also on the launch, as was IRVINE01, a cubesat built by high school students in Southern California. IRVINE01 features an electric propulsion system developed by Accion Systems, marking the first flight of that company's technology.
An additional payload, called NABEO and developed by High Performance Space Structure Systems GmBH, will remain attached to Curie. It will deploy a sail after the release of the other satellites to test its use as a means of deorbiting satellites. That payload was installed in cooperation with Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation, which announced an agreement with Rocket Lab in August to arrange similar hosted payloads on future Electron missions.
With this success the company plans to step up the pace of launches. Rocket Lab's next Electron mission is expected to take place in December, carrying a collection of cubesats from NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative under a contract awarded by NASA's Venture Class Launch Services program in 2015.
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https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1061518489561686016
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1061518769363738624
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A first object has been cataloged with an orbit very close to the target orbit (210 x 500 km x85):
2018-088A/43690 in 205 x 507 km x 85.03
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Congrats to the little Kiwi company that could. Nice job Rocket Lab!
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Less talk, more rocket, as someone around here says on their signature...
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ABCD: Always Be Counting Down
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Two events that Steven commented upon during this launch had me confused. Not seen them anywhere else:
"Battery Drop"
"Hot Swap"
Can someone explain them or point to a source where they are explained?
TIA
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Two events that Steven commented upon during this launch had me confused. Not seen them anywhere else:
"Battery Drop"
"Hot Swap"
Can someone explain them or point to a source where they are explained?
TIA
The Electrons Rutherford engines use battery powered turbopumps. When one set of battery packs run out of energy, they "Hot Swap" to the second set. The depleted batteries are then jettisoned,"Battery Drop".
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Two events that Steven commented upon during this launch had me confused. Not seen them anywhere else:
"Battery Drop"
"Hot Swap"
Can someone explain them or point to a source where they are explained?
TIA
From the webcast @27:00 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=sPwMuUxSrcA&t=1620):
The Electron is unique in that its Rutherford engines are driven by high-performance, brushless DC electric motors and lithium polymer batteries. What you saw a few moments ago was the ejection of two of our three battery packs from the second stage. This is done to increase performance by reducing the amount of spent mass that's carried to orbit.
See also our thread, electric pumped rocket cycle (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44912.0).
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Is that an unused 6U container (or possibly 4 x 1U -- SpaceBEE ?) on the bottom, next to the inclined NABEO drag sail container?
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Two events that Steven commented upon during this launch had me confused. Not seen them anywhere else:
"Battery Drop"
"Hot Swap"
Can someone explain them or point to a source where they are explained?
TIA
From the webcast @27:00 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=sPwMuUxSrcA&t=1620):
The Electron is unique in that its Rutherford engines are driven by high-performance, brushless DC electric motors and lithium polymer batteries. What you saw a few moments ago was the ejection of two of our three battery packs from the second stage. This is done to increase performance by reducing the amount of spent mass that's carried to orbit.
See also our thread, electric pumped rocket cycle (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44912.0).
Yes, I was watching close for the battery-drop/hot-swap during the launch. For some reason this unique aspect of a rocket launch is very interesting for me. An innovative solution and fun to watch.
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A first object has been cataloged with an orbit very close to the target orbit (210 x 500 km x85):
2018-088A/43690 in 205 x 507 km x 85.03
Should be the 2nd stage, right, everything else was circularised by the Curie stage later?
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A first object has been cataloged with an orbit very close to the target orbit (210 x 500 km x85):
2018-088A/43690 in 205 x 507 km x 85.03
Should be the 2nd stage, right, everything else was circularised by the Curie stage later?
Should be. We should see tracking confirmation soon.
- Ed Kyle
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I's quite a feat that after a failed first launch last year, the Electron rocket aced two successful launches this year so far.
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I's quite a feat that after a failed first launch last year, the Electron rocket aced two successful launches this year so far.
The first launch wasn't a failure by Electron, was actually very successful. Failure was on 3rd party's comms equipment that was monitoring it, had to terminate Electron because of loss comms.
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A first object has been cataloged with an orbit very close to the target orbit (210 x 500 km x85):
2018-088A/43690 in 205 x 507 km x 85.03
Should be the 2nd stage, right, everything else was circularised by the Curie stage later?
In official materials like the user guide, Curie is used only for the engine and the kick stage is just called 'kick stage' or similar.
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Rocket Lab performs first commercial launch (https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-performs-first-commercial-launch/)
An additional payload, called NABEO and developed by High Performance Space Structure Systems GmBH, will remain attached to Curie. It will deploy a sail after the release of the other satellites to test its use as a means of deorbiting satellites. That payload was installed in cooperation with Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation, which announced an agreement with Rocket Lab in August to arrange similar hosted payloads on future Electron missions.
Any word on whether the NABEO deployment was successful? How long it will take before we can measure the drag effect due to the sail compared to normal orbital decay at that altitude? Does the sail make Curie more visible to amateur observers?
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In official materials like the user guide, Curie is used only for the engine and the kick stage is just called 'kick stage' or similar.
Hope they come up with a cool name for it though, kick stage is sort of boring...although I guess electrons aren't made up of smaller parts.
Seems really good for an all new launch system with all new engines, all new everything really, to have 2 flawless launches and a question mark on the debut, might have been good as well if not for that comms error which wasn't a problem with the rocket I guess?
Probably really good for their PR and finances, too. Some of these delays might be frustrating but if Electron keeps working that well they're surely worth it. Plus opening up a new small-sized market, a rocket with some cool features like the electric fuel pumps and launches from New Zealand, really cool addition to the rocket industry, isn't it? Hope everything continues going well with the turnaround going down overtime, too.
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A great launch! :) (although I missed it live)
That stage separation looked a bit dicey, though. Presumably because the engine shutdown seemed to send the whole stack rotating slightly.
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A first object has been cataloged with an orbit very close to the target orbit (210 x 500 km x85):
2018-088A/43690 in 205 x 507 km x 85.03
Should be the 2nd stage, right, everything else was circularised by the Curie stage later?
In official materials like the user guide, Curie is used only for the engine and the kick stage is just called 'kick stage' or similar.
True, but that's a boring name. "Curie (-powered) stage" is a reasonable thing to call it IMO :-)
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A first object has been cataloged with an orbit very close to the target orbit (210 x 500 km x85):
2018-088A/43690 in 205 x 507 km x 85.03
Should be the 2nd stage, right, everything else was circularised by the Curie stage later?
In official materials like the user guide, Curie is used only for the engine and the kick stage is just called 'kick stage' or similar.
True, but that's a boring name. "Curie (-powered) stage" is a reasonable thing to call it IMO :-)
I have decided to call it Curie in my lists (unless another name comes up), as with SL-OMV a second type of kick-stage is planned.
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I's quite a feat that after a failed first launch last year, the Electron rocket aced two successful launches this year so far.
The first launch wasn't a failure by Electron, was actually very successful. Failure was on 3rd party's comms equipment that was monitoring it, had to terminate Electron because of loss comms.
It may have been successful for Rocket Lab, but I still constitute that maiden flight a failure since it fell short of orbital velocity. You dont have to take my side.
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A great launch! :) (although I missed it live)
That stage separation looked a bit dicey, though. Presumably because the engine shutdown seemed to send the whole stack rotating slightly.
There was definitely a jolt in one direction when the first stage shut down and the second separated. The second stage camera feed appeared to show it having to reorient it after separation. I will also say the 2nd stage seemed to dance around during the burn a lot more then I was expecting.
All in all though, GOOD JOB RocketLab on a successful launch! Now lets get to this weekly thing!! 8)
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Well Curie discovered Radium and Polonium.
If it were up to me, I'd go with Radium for the name.
-----
ABCD: Always Be Counting Down
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Well Curie discovered Radium and Polonium.
If it were up to me, I'd go with Radium for the name.
-----
ABCD: Always Be Counting Down
I'd be tempted for Electron for the first stage, Muon for the second and, Tau for the kickstage.
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But Polonium has 84 electrons...
Hmmm, kick stage's name always changes to the appropiate element, this was the #3 Electron, so clearly it was the Lithium kick stage. Good thing there's not a lot of water in space.
Not sure what you'd do for Electron #119 but I'm not sure if that is the biggest problem with that idea.
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I's quite a feat that after a failed first launch last year, the Electron rocket aced two successful launches this year so far.
The first launch wasn't a failure by Electron, was actually very successful. Failure was on 3rd party's comms equipment that was monitoring it, had to terminate Electron because of loss comms.
It may have been successful for Rocket Lab, but I still constitute that maiden flight a failure since it fell short of orbital velocity. You dont have to take my side.
Developmental success, operational failure.
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I's quite a feat that after a failed first launch last year, the Electron rocket aced two successful launches this year so far.
The first launch wasn't a failure by Electron, was actually very successful. Failure was on 3rd party's comms equipment that was monitoring it, had to terminate Electron because of loss comms.
It may have been successful for Rocket Lab, but I still constitute that maiden flight a failure since it fell short of orbital velocity. You dont have to take my side.
Look at the context of the question. You can call it "failure" all you want, but for the purpose of predicting the future track record of the rocket, it was a resounding success.
Besides, this is the exact fault with all the "Statistics experts" that keep pointing out that a rocket is still only "2 out of 4" or whatever. It really really matters if it's fail-fail-win-win, or say fail-win-win-fail, because those are not independent events. It also really matters what the failures were.
Electron had a support system fail on it, and then proven that the LAS worked. I am not the least bit surprised that the next flights were also good.
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With electric pumps and no gas generator, the Electron's flight looks very tidy. For comparison, the Atlas 401 has the clean flame, but the rocket is covered with bumps and warts. Falcon 9 has clean lines, but the flames look chaotic. Electron has very clean lines both above the engines and in the exhaust below. It's a great looking rocket! Here's to hoping the results match the appearance.
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I agree with meekGee: Pretty much a success for RocketLab on Flight 1
(Why do they even have a Flight Termination System on stage 2?
It's really flying into the middle of nowhere in all practical azimuths from Mahia.)
I agree with LouScheffer: It's a lovely clean looking and flying rocket.
I agree with everyone who congratulated RocketLab on a job very well done on "It's Business Time".
What no one has pointed out is that Peter Beck could be seen throughout the live streaming of the launch sitting in the third row, calm as can be.
A very interesting character.
Now on to a more rapid pace.
Once a month?
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Yes, the first one was clearly a launch failure. I would suggest that it was also a Rocket Lab failure, because isn't the prime ultimately responsible for everything, responsible for having a Plan B in case of data drop out, etc.?
A very good test launch failure, I would say, because it exposed some not-so-obvious issues that needed solving.
- Ed Kyle
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Six objects cataloged in near-circular orbit along with Object A in elliptical orbit. Did Curie stage deorbit? It shouldn't have because it holds the drag experiment. Otherwise something is missing.
43690 OBJECT A 2018-088A 504 X 208 KM X 85.03 DEG
43691 OBJECT B 2018-088B 517 X 499 KM X 85.04 DEG
43692 OBJECT C 2018-088C 518 X 497 KM X 85.03 DEG
43693 OBJECT D 2018-088D 517 X 491 KM X 85.03 DEG
43694 OBJECT E 2018-088E 551 X 491 KM X 85.02 DEG
43694 OBJECT E 2018-088E 515 X 491 KM X 85.02 DEG
43695 OBJECT F 2018-088F 518 X 496 KM X 85.03 DEG
43696 OBJECT G 2018-088G 516 X 491 KM X 85.04 DEG
- Ed Kyle
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I remember an animation during launch coverage showing that it could and would, but with the drag experiment, no idea.
43694 OBJECT E 2018-088E 551 X 491 KM X 85.02 DEG
That one is quite different from the others, almost seems like an error or typo or something? I didn't think any of the cubesats had propulsion and that seems like quite a change for a bump for deployment.
Maybe E is the Curie but then one of the cubesats is missing.
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Yes, the first one was clearly a launch failure. I would suggest that it was also a Rocket Lab failure, because isn't the prime ultimately responsible for everything, responsible for having a Plan B in case of data drop out, etc.?
A very good test launch failure, I would say, because it exposed some not-so-obvious issues that needed solving.
- Ed Kyle
The receiving equipment was independent 3rd party's and their responsible. They were contracted to oversee flight. RL receiving equipment had no problem receiving data. Time didn't allow both parties to compare data and notes.
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Six objects cataloged in near-circular orbit along with Object A in elliptical orbit. Did Curie stage deorbit? It shouldn't have because it holds the drag experiment. Otherwise something is missing.
43690 OBJECT A 2018-088A 504 X 208 KM X 85.03 DEG
43691 OBJECT B 2018-088B 517 X 499 KM X 85.04 DEG
43692 OBJECT C 2018-088C 518 X 497 KM X 85.03 DEG
43693 OBJECT D 2018-088D 517 X 491 KM X 85.03 DEG
43694 OBJECT E 2018-088E 551 X 491 KM X 85.02 DEG
43695 OBJECT F 2018-088F 518 X 496 KM X 85.03 DEG
43696 OBJECT G 2018-088G 516 X 491 KM X 85.04 DEG
- Ed Kyle
My guess is that A is Curie and the second stage deorbited.
Do we even know the 2nd stage’s initial orbit?
Was it displayed or in the press releases?
It could have had a very low perigee.
208 km perigee is good for drag deorbit testing.
Edit: We will see if object E’s orbit is seen to really be in that higher orbit. I think that’s about an additional 15 m/s.
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Yes, from the press kit (http://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/launch-press-kits/):
The payloads will be launched to a 210km x 500km circular orbit at 85 degrees, before being circularized to 500 x 500 km using Rocket Labs Curie engine powered kick stage.
504 X 208 and 500 X 210, sure seems like the 2nd stage.
Plus I've never heard about the 2nd stage being able to deorbit but I'm sure others read more about this than me.
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I remember an animation during launch coverage showing that it could and would, but with the drag experiment, no idea.
43694 OBJECT E 2018-088E 551 X 491 KM X 85.02 DEG
That one is quite different from the others, almost seems like an error or typo or something? I didn't think any of the cubesats had propulsion and that seems like quite a change for a bump for deployment.
Maybe E is the Curie but then one of the cubesats is missing.
Typo. Sorry! Object E should be 515 x 491 km. I'll fix in original message.
- Ed Kyle
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Six objects cataloged in near-circular orbit along with Object A in elliptical orbit. Did Curie stage deorbit? It shouldn't have because it holds the drag experiment. Otherwise something is missing.
43690 OBJECT A 2018-088A 504 X 208 KM X 85.03 DEG
43691 OBJECT B 2018-088B 517 X 499 KM X 85.04 DEG
43692 OBJECT C 2018-088C 518 X 497 KM X 85.03 DEG
43693 OBJECT D 2018-088D 517 X 491 KM X 85.03 DEG
43694 OBJECT E 2018-088E 515 X 491 KM X 85.02 DEG
43695 OBJECT F 2018-088F 518 X 496 KM X 85.03 DEG
43696 OBJECT G 2018-088G 516 X 491 KM X 85.04 DEG
- Ed Kyle
They've now added an OBJECT H
43697 OBJECT H 2018-088H 514 x 495 KM x 85.03 deg
- Ed Kyle
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Objects A and B have been switched. A is identified as CICERO 10, B (with low perigee) as rocket.
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Six objects cataloged in near-circular orbit along with Object A in elliptical orbit. Did Curie stage deorbit? It shouldn't have because it holds the drag experiment. Otherwise something is missing.
- Ed Kyle
So do we have:
43690 OBJECT B 2018-088A 504 X 208 KM X 85.03 DEG 2nd Stage
43691 OBJECT A 2018-088B 517 X 499 KM X 85.04 DEG CICERO 10
43692 OBJECT C 2018-088C 518 X 497 KM X 85.03 DEG
43693 OBJECT D 2018-088D 517 X 491 KM X 85.03 DEG IRVINE 01
43694 OBJECT E 2018-088E 515 X 491 KM X 85.02 DEG
43695 OBJECT F 2018-088F 518 X 496 KM X 85.03 DEG
43696 OBJECT G 2018-088G 516 X 491 KM X 85.04 DEG
43697 OBJECT H 2018-088H 514 x 495 KM X 85.03 DEG
From where are the IDs being pulled?
I got IRVINE 01 association from N2YO