The countdown to our next launch is on! We're excited to confirm that our next mission will launch satellites for @NASA, @NatReconOfc and the University of New South Wales Canberra Space. The launch window opens 27 March UTC. More info: bit.ly/3cIRd01
Rocket Lab’s Next Mission to Launch Satellites for NASA, NRO and the University of New South WalesRocket Lab’s next rideshare mission will enable university research into Earth’s magnetic field, support the testing of new smallsat communications architecture and demonstrate a streamlined, commercial approach for getting government small satellites into space.Long Beach, California. 9 March 2020 – Rocket Lab, a space technology company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has announced today that its next mission will deploy payloads for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space.The launch will take place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula, with a 14-day launch window scheduled to commence from 27 March 2020 NZT. The mission will be Rocket Lab’s 12th Electron launch since the company began launches in May 2017.The rideshare mission will launch several small satellites, including the ANDESITE (Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors) satellite created by electrical and mechanical engineering students and professors at Boston University. The satellite will launch as part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) and will conduct groundbreaking scientific study into Earth’s magnetic field. Once in space, the ANDESITE satellite will initiate measurements of the magnetosphere with onboard sensors, later releasing eight pico satellites carrying small magnetometer sensors to track electric currents flowing in and out of the atmosphere, a phenomenon also known as space weather. These variations in the electrical activity racing through space can have a big impact on our lives here on Earth, causing interruptions to things like radio communications and electrical systems. The ANDESITE satellite follows on from Rocket Lab’s first ELaNa (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites) launch for NASA, the ELaNa-19 mission, which launched a host of educational satellites to orbit on Electron in December 2018. The mission also carries three payloads designed, built and operated by the NRO. The mission was procured under the agency’s Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract vehicle. RASR allows the NRO to explore new launch opportunities that provide a streamlined, commercial approach for getting small satellites into space, as well as provide those working in the small satellite community with timely and cost-effective access to space. This mission follows Rocket Lab’s first dedicated mission for the NRO, Birds of a Feather, which was launched on 31 January 2020 NZT from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.The ANDESITE and NRO payloads will be joined on the mission by the M2 Pathfinder satellite, a collaboration between the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space and the Australian Government. The M2 Pathfinder will test communications architecture and other technologies that will assist in informing the future space capabilities of Australia. The satellite will demonstrate the ability of an onboard software-based radio to operate and reconfigure while in orbit.Rocket Lab founder and chief executive, Peter Beck, says the mission is a great example of the kind of cutting-edge research and fast-paced innovation that small satellites are enabling.“It’s a privilege to have NASA and the NRO launch on Electron again, and we’re excited to welcome the University of New South Wales onto our manifest for the first time, too,” he says. “We created Electron to make getting to space easy for all, so it’s gratifying to be meeting the needs of national security payloads and student research projects on the same mission.” “We’re excited to be partnering with Rocket Lab on another mission under our RASR contract,” said Colonel Chad Davis, Director of NRO’s Office of Space Launch. “This latest mission is a great example of the collaborative nature of the space community and our goal as space partners to procure rideshare missions that not only meet our mission needs but provide opportunities for those working with smallsats to gain easy access to space.”NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) ELaNa Mission Lead, Scott Higginbotham, said “Through the CSLI, NASA engages the next generation of space explorers. This initiative provides university teams like ANDESITE with real life, hands-on experience in conducting an actual space research mission in conjunction with NASA. The students grow as professionals and NASA benefits from the research. We are truly excited about this collaborative mission.”“We’re very excited to be launching M2 Pathfinder with Rocket Lab who have been so very flexible in accommodating our spacecraft specific needs, let alone the ambitious nine month project timeframe,” said Andrin Tomaschett, Spacecraft Project Lead at UNSW Canberra. “The success of this spacecraft will unlock so much more, for our customers and for Australia, by feeding into the complex spacecraft projects and missions our team are currently working on.”The mission has been named ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ in recognition of Rocket Lab board member and avid Queen fan Scott Smith, who recently passed away.Rocket Lab will not be carrying out any recovery testing on the Electron launch vehicle during this mission.
Anybody know what "S.S.S" means in the patch exhaust plume?
The mission has been named ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ in recognition of Rocket Lab board member and avid Queen fan Scott Smith, who recently passed away.
Daily launch window opens at 04:43 UTC
Our next mission is still on track, with lift-off currently scheduled for no earlier than 30 March UTC.
[Rocket Lab spokesperson Morgan] Bailey said the launch teams, as well as all the payloads for the mission, are already at the company’s Launch Complex 1. Payload integration and a wet dress rehearsal of the rocket are scheduled for early next week.
In response to the COVID-19 situation, we've paused launch preparations for our next mission to protect the health of our team members, our families & the community. We'll remain in a state of launch readiness & will be back on the pad soon. More here:https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/covid-19-update-rocket-lab-has-postponed-the-launch-of-its-next-mission-in-response-to-the-covid-19-situation/
COVID-19 Update: Rocket Lab has postponed the launch of its next mission in response to the COVID-19 situation.In response to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we have paused launch preparations for our next mission to protect the health and safety of Rocket Lab team members, our families, and the wider community.The mission was scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on 30 March UTC. Launch preparations have been paused, however, following the New Zealand Government’s announcement on 23 March NZDT to implement the Level 4 COVID-19 response which requires most businesses to close and instructs people to stay at home. We commend the government for taking this drastic but necessary step to limit the spread of COVID-19.We have the full support of our customers in pausing operations and we are grateful for their understanding in these challenging times. We are working with the government, health officials, and our customers to determine when launch operations can resume. The launch vehicle and ground systems will remain in a state of readiness for launch as the evolving situation allows it. The majority of our team is working from home with the exception of a few essential personnel who are monitoring and maintaining critical systems.In recent years, we have placed an increased emphasis on delivering responsive launch capability for our customers, which means having launch vehicles and pads ready for rapid call-up launch capability. As a result of this approach, we’re fortunate to have enough launch vehicles ready that we can effectively manage a pause in production and still have vehicles available for launch as soon as conditions allow.In the days, weeks, and months to come, we’ll be following the advice of the government and health authorities to protect our teams in the United States and New Zealand.Our deepest thanks go to the medical professionals, scientists and researchers, supermarket workers, and all those providing essential services in these trying times. We are grateful for all that you do.Be safe and look out for each other.
Beck told me today that @RocketLab, with a tad more than 500 employees, has been able to avoid furloughs. Says Flight 11 [sic] of Electron rocket will be ready to go when New Zealand lifts its strict social distancing measures.
All signs are positive towards lifting New Zealand's lockdown next week and a lower level would see "a whole lot" more businesses able to open under guidelines, says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.
Electron is back on the pad for wet dress. #timetofly
What's the NET date for this launch?
Will announce that soon.
That's a perfect wet dress rehearsal done and dusted for our 12th Electron mission! We're excited to be back on the pad and launching soon for @NatReconOfc, @NASA, and UNSW Canberra Space. Stay tuned for launch window dates soon!
Quote from: Salo on 05/06/2020 05:35 pmQuote from: PM3 on 05/06/2020 04:49 pmNew ELaNa dates:May 15 - Electron - Elana 32... https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launchesNow changed to NET May 30.
Quote from: PM3 on 05/06/2020 04:49 pmNew ELaNa dates:May 15 - Electron - Elana 32... https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches
New ELaNa dates:May 15 - Electron - Elana 32... https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches
Don’t stop me now! The 12th Electron flight.
Who's ready for another Electron launch? The window for our 12th Electron mission opens 11 June UTC with lift-off scheduled between 04:43 - 06:32 UTC. We're excited to be launching for @NatReconOfc, @NASA, and UNSW Canberra Space!
