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#720
by
Lars-J
on 12 Dec, 2016 22:44
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Great progress!
But it does look like a shortened 1st stage test article, right? Or is the first stage that short?
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#721
by
russianhalo117
on 12 Dec, 2016 22:49
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Great progress!
But it does look like a shortened 1st stage test article, right? Or is the first stage that short?
Electron has a carbon composite structure of 1.2 m diameter and 20 m length. Probably around 12-15 metres for first stage as Rocket Labs doesnt list stage length only total combined length.
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#722
by
Kansan52
on 12 Dec, 2016 23:25
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Just great. So looking forward to First Flight!
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#723
by
Katana
on 14 Dec, 2016 02:57
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Awesome news. Really rooting for these Kiwis to pull it off. This is one of the most exciting things going on in the space launch industry right now. They have the expertise, the funding, and now the hardware to get the job done. Congrats to them.
I wonder if the stage tests they have been conducting are using battery or mains power? Batteries, I hope! It wouldn't be a full systems test if they didn't use batteries.
Must to use batteries.
Mains cant support that peak power.
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#724
by
ringsider
on 14 Dec, 2016 07:33
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But it does look like a shortened 1st stage test article, right? Or is the first stage that short?
That is definitely a short tank, which means they did not do a full mission cycle burn. You can scale it off the helium bottles on the right. Each of those is about 1.4m-1.5m tall, so the entire tank is about 3m-3.5m, about quarter size.
Electron has a carbon composite structure of 1.2 m diameter and 20 m length. Probably around 12-15 metres for first stage as Rocket Labs doesnt list stage length only total combined length.
Here are the stage dimensions and masses:-
Source: Environmental Impact Statement
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/Extra%20downloads/Source%20file/space-launch-vehicle-discussion-doc.docx
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#725
by
ringsider
on 22 Dec, 2016 05:52
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I found Rocket Lab's engine test sites on Google Earth:
New:
Original:
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#726
by
RobertoT
on 22 Dec, 2016 14:01
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#727
by
jamesh9000
on 22 Dec, 2016 18:51
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Yeah, excellent find! What are the coordinates?
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#728
by
Davidthefat
on 23 Dec, 2016 04:42
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I'm genuinely curious what indications in the pictures point toward those sites being engine test sites. Especially the second one. How did you come to the conclusion those are the test sites?
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#729
by
ringsider
on 01 Jan, 2017 15:37
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Job advert at Rocket Lab with some interesting language:-
With the test flights of Rocket Lab's Electron vehicle fast approaching, Rocket Lab has seen continued and growing public interest. This is an incredible opportunity to manage the profile of a company that inspires and excites people globally.
The Communications Manager is responsible for leading Rocket Lab New Zealand's public relations and brand, and meeting the needs and interest of a diverse range of domestic and international stakeholders.
This role is based in Auckland with frequent travel to Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (Mahia, New Zealand) and the United States.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Public Relations
Liaise with media and act as company spokesperson
Pitch and place pieces in industry and consumer media
Write op-eds and features
Develop and maintain key relationships
Plan, write and distribute press releases
Crisis management, contingency planning and expectation management
Local Community Engagement - Launch Complex 1
Arrange and present at public information days
Assist members of the public with concerns and questions
Provide ongoing public information
Liaise with businesses and organisations interested in starting tourism initiatives or launch related spin-offs
Government Relations
Liaise and engage with local and central government
Respond to government queries for information, prepare briefing materials etc.
Represent Rocket Lab on various planning committees and groups as required
Brand Management
Prevent, manage and respond to brand and copyright infringements, coordinate supplier publicity agreements etc.
Social Media, Website and Digital Assets
Create and manage assets and content
Supervise video production and photographic art direction
Manage of social media accounts and strategy
Events, Trade Shows and Exhibits
Plan trade shows and events for both Rocket Lab New Zealand and Rocket Lab USA
Work with museums, education institutes etc.
Marketing Collateral
Plan, write and oversee design of print and digital marketing collateral and materials
REQUIRED SKILLS
Minimum 5 years of experience in communications/public relations
Minimum 1 year of experience as media spokesperson
Experience with digital assets, social media strategies and tactics
Bachelor's degree required
PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Public relations experience in tech, aerospace or public policy
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Ability to grasp complex issues
Natural interest in technology and preferably aerospace
Ability to work independently and quickly in an unsupervised environment
Discretion and ability to grasp stringent security requirements and commercial sensitivities
Proven skills in establishing and maintaining relationships with wide range of stakeholders
Strong negotiation, critical-thinking and decision making skills
Managerial experience
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#730
by
savuporo
on 05 Jan, 2017 23:35
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#731
by
gongora
on 10 Jan, 2017 20:39
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Tweet from Jeff Foust:[Anna] Stark [, NASA Venture Class Launch Services project mgr]: first launch of Electron by Rocket Lab is scheduled for end of this month; NASA VCLS mission will be their 6th, later this year.
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#732
by
ringsider
on 10 Jan, 2017 21:41
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#733
by
russianhalo117
on 10 Jan, 2017 21:51
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#734
by
ringsider
on 10 Jan, 2017 22:12
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Tweet from Jeff Foust:
[Anna] Stark [, NASA Venture Class Launch Services project mgr]: first launch of Electron by Rocket Lab is scheduled for end of this month; NASA VCLS mission will be their 6th, later this year.
"Scheduled"...
No licences for launch site or launch, as yet, however:-
https://www.faa.gov/data_research/commercial_space_data/licenses/
Would not the New Zealand launch sites be under the control of New Zealand (https://www.caa.govt.nz/ and http://www.transport.govt.nz/air/) and not the FAA??
No. It is an FAA launch site under US control (they mention this is one of the slide decks above) and the launcher is US-owned because Rocket Lab is now a US headquartered corporation. Rocket Lab made that decision when it redomiciled. Regulations are all detailed in the TSA.
NZ is introducing new regulations and signed a waiver contract with RL last year as an interim measure to allow launches. But even then, a US-owned rocket will be under US authority, so I expect heavy leaning on the TSA and maybe dual licencing.
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#735
by
c4fusion
on 10 Jan, 2017 22:44
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It seems like with the website's update, the ISP of the first stage is finally shown as 303 sec and the ISP of the second stage has been given a slight bump to 333 from 327. Looks like they are getting a bit more than expected power out of the batteries.
Cheers
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#736
by
wardy89
on 10 Jan, 2017 23:16
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Tweet from Jeff Foust:
[Anna] Stark [, NASA Venture Class Launch Services project mgr]: first launch of Electron by Rocket Lab is scheduled for end of this month; NASA VCLS mission will be their 6th, later this year.
I find this sentence interesting "NASA VCLS mission will be their 6th, later this year"
I know it is a relatively small rocket but isn't 6 launches in the first year being rather optimistic?
It is a good sign though that the fist launch might not to to far away.
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#737
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 11 Jan, 2017 00:23
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Tweet from Jeff Foust:
[Anna] Stark [, NASA Venture Class Launch Services project mgr]: first launch of Electron by Rocket Lab is scheduled for end of this month; NASA VCLS mission will be their 6th, later this year.
"Scheduled"...
No licences for launch site or launch, as yet, however:-
https://www.faa.gov/data_research/commercial_space_data/licenses/
I find this very hard to believe with no actual progress seen on their 1st actual launch campaign.
A successful WDR or static fire in launch configuration on the actual pad would go a long way as to proving their readiness. Until then.....
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#738
by
CameronD
on 11 Jan, 2017 00:50
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I find this very hard to believe with no actual progress seen on their 1st actual launch campaign.
A successful WDR or static fire in launch configuration on the actual pad would go a long way as to proving their readiness. Until then.....
Hmm... Given their current level of readiness, I have some faith that they could possibly carry off a *test* launch by the end of the month. This isn't exactly a Falcon 9 remember, it's more in the "big amateur" category.. and given the number they have in build (we've seen 3 in some photos) six launches this year isn't out of the question either.
..but the underlying assumption is that the first and subsequent launches will ALL be a resounding success and hit the target right on the money, and as we all know (and SpaceX testify) "Space is Hard".
..but Peter Beck is also an optimist.
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#739
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 11 Jan, 2017 01:31
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) but lots of things still seems to be yet to be done so..... 
) but lots of things still seems to be yet to be done so.....