I remember that they were supposed to launch Moon Express. Per Wikipedia it is in 2019. Do we have a more concrete date, as in which quarter or flight number Y of Electron?
A really awesome overview and status update from the horse's mouth! Thanks Chris G!
Presser:
Rocket Lab to expand launch capability with US launch site
Huntington Beach, California. 10 July 2018.
US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has today confirmed plans to expand its launch capability by developing a US launch site, with four US space ports shortlisted to launch the Electron rocket. Final selection is underway with Cape Canaveral, Wallops Flight Facility, Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base. A decision on the confirmed site, to be named Launch Complex 2, is expected to be made in August 2018.
Designed to serve both commercial and US government missions, the US launch site expands on Rocket Lab’s ability to provide customers with the rapid, flexible and cost-effective access to orbit needed to support the increasing number of small satellites.
“The development of Rocket Lab’s US launch site strengthens our existing position as the industry leader providing frequent and tailored access to orbit for small satellites. Launching from US soil adds an extra layer of flexibility for our government and commercial customers, offering an unmatched ability to rapidly deploy space-based assets with confidence and precision,” said Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck.
“We believe the launch process should be simple, seamless and tailored to our customers’ missions - from idea to orbit. Every aspect of the Electron orbital launch program is designed with this in mind and Launch Complex 2 is the next step in this strategy.”
The four potential launch sites are being assessed against a range of criteria, including anticipated pad construction cost and time-frame, regulatory lead times and ongoing costs once the site is operational. Rocket Lab is considering East and West coast options to explore a wide range of inclinations matched against current and anticipated manifest demand.
Launch Complex 2 will be designed to support monthly orbital launches. Once the final site is confirmed, construction will begin immediately, with the first mission from Launch Complex 2 slated for Q2 2019. Rocket Lab will construct its own pad infrastructure tailored to the Electron launch vehicle.
The development of Launch Complex 2 will see Rocket Lab continue to expand Electron rocket production at the company’s headquarters in Huntington Beach, California, to supply complete launch vehicles for government and commercial customers.
Rocket Lab already has the ability to launch more frequently than any other launch provider thanks to operating the world’s only private orbital launch facility, Launch Complex 1, on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand. Launch Complex 1 is licensed to launch up to every 72 hours.
Presser:
Rocket Lab to expand launch capability with US launch site
Huntington Beach, California. 10 July 2018.
US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has today confirmed plans to expand its launch capability by developing a US launch site, with four US space ports shortlisted to launch the Electron rocket. Final selection is underway with Cape Canaveral, Wallops Flight Facility, Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base. A decision on the confirmed site, to be named Launch Complex 2, is expected to be made in August 2018.
Designed to serve both commercial and US government missions, the US launch site expands on Rocket Lab’s ability to provide customers with the rapid, flexible and cost-effective access to orbit needed to support the increasing number of small satellites.
“The development of Rocket Lab’s US launch site strengthens our existing position as the industry leader providing frequent and tailored access to orbit for small satellites. Launching from US soil adds an extra layer of flexibility for our government and commercial customers, offering an unmatched ability to rapidly deploy space-based assets with confidence and precision,” said Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck.
“We believe the launch process should be simple, seamless and tailored to our customers’ missions - from idea to orbit. Every aspect of the Electron orbital launch program is designed with this in mind and Launch Complex 2 is the next step in this strategy.”
The four potential launch sites are being assessed against a range of criteria, including anticipated pad construction cost and time-frame, regulatory lead times and ongoing costs once the site is operational. Rocket Lab is considering East and West coast options to explore a wide range of inclinations matched against current and anticipated manifest demand.
Launch Complex 2 will be designed to support monthly orbital launches. Once the final site is confirmed, construction will begin immediately, with the first mission from Launch Complex 2 slated for Q2 2019. Rocket Lab will construct its own pad infrastructure tailored to the Electron launch vehicle.
The development of Launch Complex 2 will see Rocket Lab continue to expand Electron rocket production at the company’s headquarters in Huntington Beach, California, to supply complete launch vehicles for government and commercial customers.
Rocket Lab already has the ability to launch more frequently than any other launch provider thanks to operating the world’s only private orbital launch facility, Launch Complex 1, on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand. Launch Complex 1 is licensed to launch up to every 72 hours.
So that means that Rocket Labs pad naming system will result in US Electron launch complexes having 2 designations (1 RL name and 1 existing LC facility name).
Presser:
Rocket Lab to expand launch capability with US launch site
(snip)
Rocket Lab already has the ability to launch more frequently than any other launch provider thanks to operating the world’s only private orbital launch facility, Launch Complex 1, on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand. Launch Complex 1 is licensed to launch up to every 72 hours.
So that means that Rocket Labs pad naming system will result in US Electron launch complexes having 2 designations (1 RL name and 1 existing LC facility name).
Excuse me? Where do you get that? What do you mean?
NZ = LC 1
US = LC 2
Electron rocket from either
And isn't the section I bolded a bit of puffery at this point?
I was hoping something in the Rocketlab manifest thread was a new launch date for their third flight.
It's at least premature to claim "Rocket Lab has the ability to launch more frequently..." when they have spent over half a year attempting to repeat their impressive debut but still don't have a launch date.
edit: typo
Well, as Rocketlab already have a site that can do polar launchers, I would expect the next site to be Cape Canaveral, to allow more efficient launches for low inclination orbits.
Well, as Rocketlab already have a site that can do polar launchers, I would expect the next site to be Cape Canaveral, to allow more efficient launches for low inclination orbits.
Would LC-39C still be option with NASA wanting small launch providers to use it multi-pad system?
Well, as Rocketlab already have a site that can do polar launchers, I would expect the next site to be Cape Canaveral, to allow more efficient launches for low inclination orbits.
They also already have a site that can do low inclination launches.
The question is that are most of their launches low or high inclination launches?
And AFAIK most of the small sats Rocket Lab are going to launch are going to high inclination orbits, not low inclination orbits.
They also already have a site that can do low inclination launches.
28.5° is better than 39.2°. That's a saving of 463.9*(cos(28.5)-cos(39.2)) = 48 m/s. That would be useful for Lunar missions.
And AFAIK most of the small sats Rocket Lab are going to launch are going to high inclination orbits, not low inclination orbits.
Then why consider using Cape Canaveral and Wallops? Those launch sites can't reach polar without overflying land.
Well, as Rocketlab already have a site that can do polar launchers, I would expect the next site to be Cape Canaveral, to allow more efficient launches for low inclination orbits.
Would LC-39C still be option with NASA wanting small launch providers to use it multi-pad system?
39C won't be used until after EM-1 flies, so KSC is building LC-48, a dedicated smallsat launch complex
Presser:
Rocket Lab to expand launch capability with US launch site
(snip)
Rocket Lab already has the ability to launch more frequently than any other launch provider thanks to operating the world’s only private orbital launch facility, Launch Complex 1, on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand. Launch Complex 1 is licensed to launch up to every 72 hours.
So that means that Rocket Labs pad naming system will result in US Electron launch complexes having 2 designations (1 RL name and 1 existing LC facility name).
Excuse me? Where do you get that? What do you mean?
NZ = LC 1
US = LC 2
Electron rocket from either
And isn't the section I bolded a bit of puffery at this point?
I was hoping something in the Rocketlab manifest thread was a new launch date for their third flight.
It's at least premature to claim "Rocket Lab has the ability to launch more frequently..." when they have spent over half a year attempting to repeat their impressive debut but still don't have a launch date.
edit: typo
To Quote Elvis.
"A little less conversation, a little more action please.
I think we're all looking forward to their next delay. We just have to be patient.
Well, as Rocketlab already have a site that can do polar launchers, I would expect the next site to be Cape Canaveral, to allow more efficient launches for low inclination orbits.
I would expect their next site to depend on what missions they think they can get from the U.S. government. That is the most likely reason for building a U.S. launch site. I would guess West Coast.