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Electron:HawkEye 360:VA for Launch Lovers:Wallops LC-2: 24 Jan 2023 23:00 UTC
by
Trypto
on 19 Apr, 2022 20:56
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November 9, 2022 Update:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221109005960/en/Rocket-Lab-Announces-Launch-Window-for-Inaugural-Electron-Mission-from-Launch-Complex-2-in-VirginiaWALLOPS ISLAND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it is scheduled to launch its first Electron mission from Virginia during a launch window opening December 7 EST.
The mission, named “Virginia is for Launch Lovers,” will deploy satellites for leading radio frequency geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360. It will be Rocket Lab’s first lift-off from Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility – a launch pad developed to support Electron missions from U.S. soil for government and commercial customers. The launch window has been set following recent progress by NASA in certifying its Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU) software, which is required to enable Electron launches from Virginia.
Launch Complex 2 supplements Rocket Lab’s existing site, Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, from which 31 Electron missions have already launched. This extensive launch heritage already makes Electron the most frequently launched small orbital rocket globally, and now with two launch complexes combined, Rocket Lab can support more than 130 launch opportunities every year, delivering unmatched flexibility for rapid, responsive launch for government and commercial satellite operators. The launch pad and production complex for Rocket Lab’s large reusable Neutron launch vehicle will also be located at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, streamlining operations across small and large launch.
“We are honored and excited to bring a new launch capability to Virginia’s Eastern Shore,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Electron is well established as the leader in small launch, reliably serving the responsive space needs of the commercial, civil, DoD, and national security markets alike. With our inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2, we are immensely proud to expand on this strong launch heritage by enabling a new capability for the nation from Virginian soil. We look forward to making history this December with our dedicated mission partners HawkEye 360, NASA and Virginia Space.”
"For our fifth cluster of next-generation satellites, we needed optimal orbital flexibility — and Rocket Lab’s new Electron launch pad in Wallops, Virginia provides the perfect domestic capability,” said CEO of HawkEye 360, John Serafini. “Rocket Lab’s inaugural launch facilitates our first mid-latitude satellite cluster, which will strengthen the diversity of our geospatial insights for our government and commercial customers across the globe.”
The “Virginia is for Launch Lovers” mission will be the first of three Electron launches for HawkEye 360 in a contract that will see Rocket Lab deliver 15 satellites to low Earth orbit between late 2022 and 2024. These missions will grow HawkEye 360’s constellation of radio frequency monitoring satellites, enabling the company to better deliver precise geolocation of radio frequency emissions anywhere in the world. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply HawkEye 360 with separation systems produced by Planetary Systems Corporation, a Maryland-based space hardware company acquired by Rocket Lab in December 2021.
For launch fans eager to watch Electron take to Virginia skies for the first time can visit viewing locations on Chincoteague Island including Robert Reed Park on Main Street or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Atlantic beaches also provide good viewing locations. The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will be open for this launch. A live launch webcast will also be available at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream from around T-40 minutes.
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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419006088/en/Rocket Lab Secures Multi-Launch Contract with HawkEye 360, Confirms First Launch Planned from Virginia
Rocket Lab will launch three Electron missions for HawkEye 360, the first of which is expected to be the inaugural launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia
April 19, 2022 04:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time
LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it has been selected by Virginia-based HawkEye 360 to launch three Electron missions for the radio frequency geospatial analytics provider. The first of the three missions is scheduled to be Rocket Lab’s inaugural Electron mission from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia, ushering in an era of Rocket Lab launches from U.S. soil from no earlier than December 2022.
The multi-launch contract with HawkEye 360 will see Rocket Lab deliver 15 satellites (five clusters) to low Earth orbit across three Electron missions anticipated between late 2022 and 2024. Rocket Lab will first deploy three HawkEye 360 satellites as part of a rideshare mission, followed by six satellites each on two dedicated Electron launches.
The first HawkEye 360 mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility – a dedicated pad for Electron launches developed to support missions from U.S. soil for government and commercial customers. Encouraged by NASA’s recent progress in certifying its Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU) software, which is required to enable Electron launches from Virginia, Rocket Lab has scheduled the mission from Launch Complex 2 no earlier than December 2022. With Launch Complex 2 joining Rocket Lab’s two operational launch pads at Launch Complex 1 in Mahia NZ, Rocket Lab can provide even greater flexibility over schedule, launch frequency and launch location to its global customers. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply HawkEye 360 with separation systems produced by Planetary Systems Corporation, a Maryland-based space hardware company acquired by Rocket Lab in December 2021.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, says: “I’m thrilled to welcome HawkEye 360 onto Electron’s manifest and especially looking forward to launching our inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia. Operating multiple Electron pads across both hemispheres opens up incredible flexibility for our customers and delivers assured access to space, something we know is becoming increasingly critical as launch availability wanes worldwide. This contract also demonstrates continued execution on our vertical integration strategy, in this case bringing reliable launch and flight proven separation systems under one roof to streamline the integration and launch process for HawkEye 360.”
HawkEye 360 COO Rob Rainhart said: “Rocket Lab provides the flexibility we need to fill out our constellation and reach our desired orbits. Their service will drive down our revisit rates in midlatitude AOIs, bringing a higher density of data to our customers. We’re excited to be joining the inaugural launch from Virginia, as a Virginia-based company launching our satellites from our home state.”
These missions will grow HawkEye 360’s constellation of radio frequency monitoring satellites, enabling the company to better deliver precise mapping of radio frequency emissions anywhere in the world. By combining radio frequency emissions data with its analytical tools and algorithms, HawkEye 360 provides commercial and government customers with insights that have helped to detect illegal fishing, poachers in national parks, GPS radio frequency interference along international borders, and emergency beacons in crisis situations.
This agreement is the latest multi-launch contract for Rocket Lab, adding to a multi-launch contract for five dedicated Electron missions for global Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity provider Kinéis to be launched from 2023 onward, as well as one for three dedicated missions for Earth imaging company Synspective, the first of which was launched in February 2022.
[zubenelgenubi: I abbreviated Virginia as VA, its postal abbreviation, to fit the title character amount limit.]
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#1
by
jstrotha0975
on 19 Apr, 2022 21:53
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Is waiting for payloads the reason why they haven't launched from Virginia yet?
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#2
by
TrevorMonty
on 19 Apr, 2022 22:33
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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419006088/en/
Rocket Lab Secures Multi-Launch Contract with HawkEye 360, Confirms First Launch Planned from Virginia
Rocket Lab will launch three Electron missions for HawkEye 360, the first of which is expected to be the inaugural launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia
April 19, 2022 04:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time
LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it has been selected by Virginia-based HawkEye 360 to launch three Electron missions for the radio frequency geospatial analytics provider. The first of the three missions is scheduled to be Rocket Lab’s inaugural Electron mission from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia, ushering in an era of Rocket Lab launches from U.S. soil from no earlier than December 2022.
The multi-launch contract with HawkEye 360 will see Rocket Lab deliver 15 satellites (five clusters) to low Earth orbit across three Electron missions anticipated between late 2022 and 2024. Rocket Lab will first deploy three HawkEye 360 satellites as part of a rideshare mission, followed by six satellites each on two dedicated Electron launches.
The first HawkEye 360 mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility – a dedicated pad for Electron launches developed to support missions from U.S. soil for government and commercial customers. Encouraged by NASA’s recent progress in certifying its Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU) software, which is required to enable Electron launches from Virginia, Rocket Lab has scheduled the mission from Launch Complex 2 no earlier than December 2022. With Launch Complex 2 joining Rocket Lab’s two operational launch pads at Launch Complex 1 in Mahia NZ, Rocket Lab can provide even greater flexibility over schedule, launch frequency and launch location to its global customers. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply HawkEye 360 with separation systems produced by Planetary Systems Corporation, a Maryland-based space hardware company acquired by Rocket Lab in December 2021.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, says: “I’m thrilled to welcome HawkEye 360 onto Electron’s manifest and especially looking forward to launching our inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia. Operating multiple Electron pads across both hemispheres opens up incredible flexibility for our customers and delivers assured access to space, something we know is becoming increasingly critical as launch availability wanes worldwide. This contract also demonstrates continued execution on our vertical integration strategy, in this case bringing reliable launch and flight proven separation systems under one roof to streamline the integration and launch process for HawkEye 360.”
HawkEye 360 COO Rob Rainhart said: “Rocket Lab provides the flexibility we need to fill out our constellation and reach our desired orbits. Their service will drive down our revisit rates in midlatitude AOIs, bringing a higher density of data to our customers. We’re excited to be joining the inaugural launch from Virginia, as a Virginia-based company launching our satellites from our home state.”
These missions will grow HawkEye 360’s constellation of radio frequency monitoring satellites, enabling the company to better deliver precise mapping of radio frequency emissions anywhere in the world. By combining radio frequency emissions data with its analytical tools and algorithms, HawkEye 360 provides commercial and government customers with insights that have helped to detect illegal fishing, poachers in national parks, GPS radio frequency interference along international borders, and emergency beacons in crisis situations.
This agreement is the latest multi-launch contract for Rocket Lab, adding to a multi-launch contract for five dedicated Electron missions for global Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity provider Kinéis to be launched from 2023 onward, as well as one for three dedicated missions for Earth imaging company Synspective, the first of which was launched in February 2022.
Is waiting for payloads the reason why they haven't launched from Virginia yet?
AFTS was holding them back up to now and why Capstone moved to Mahia.
Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk
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#3
by
Robotbeat
on 31 Aug, 2022 13:30
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What is the status of this? Anyone see Electron hardware in Virginia, yet?
This is a launch a LOT of people should be able to see if the sky is clear.
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#4
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 21 Sep, 2022 18:36
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#5
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 12 Oct, 2022 09:44
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twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1580132104595156992
Electron has arrived in Virginia! The countdown is on to our first mission from Launch Complex 2 in December for @hawkeye360 🚀
Learn more about our very first launch from U.S. soil: bwnews.pr/3yxTGH4
Edit to add:
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1580133660493160448We are so excited to take to Virginia skies with the support of the dedicated teams at @VCSFA_MARS and @NASA_Wallops
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#6
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 12 Oct, 2022 09:49
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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221012005364/en/Electron-Rocket-Arrives-at-Launch-Complex-2-for-Rocket-Lab’s-Inaugural-Mission-from-Virginia
Electron Rocket Arrives at Launch Complex 2 for Rocket Lab’s Inaugural Mission from Virginia
October 12, 2022 05:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced the Electron rocket to be launched in the Company’s first mission from U.S. soil has arrived at Launch Complex 2 in Virginia.
“We are looking forward to seeing Electron take to Virginia skies for the first time very soon”
Tweet this
The mission will deploy satellites for radio frequency geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360 and will be Rocket Lab’s first lift-off from Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility – a launch pad developed to support Electron missions from U.S. soil for government and commercial customers. Encouraged by NASA’s recent progress in certifying its Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU) software, which is required to enable Electron launches from Virginia, Rocket Lab has scheduled the mission from Launch Complex 2 in December 2022.
With Electron now at Launch Complex 2, Rocket Lab will begin final launch preparations including a standard launch dress rehearsal and payload integration at Rocket Lab’s dedicated Integration and Control Facility near the launch site.
Launch Complex 2 supplements Rocket Lab’s existing site, Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, from which 31 Electron missions have already launched. The two launch complexes combined can support more than 130 launch opportunities every year, delivering unmatched flexibility for rapid, responsive launch for government and commercial satellite operators. The launch pad and production complex for Rocket Lab’s large reusable Neutron launch vehicle will also be located at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, streamlining operations across small and large launch.
“We are looking forward to seeing Electron take to Virginia skies for the first time very soon,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Rocket Lab has been providing reliable and responsive access to orbit for more than four and a half years with Electron and we’re excited to build on that strong heritage by unlocking a new path to orbit from right here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We are delighted to be working with the dedicated teams at NASA, Virginia Space, Accomack County and HawkEye 360 to launch this historic mission and begin a new era of space access.”
The mission will be the first of three Electron launches for HawkEye 360 in a contract that will see Rocket Lab deliver 15 satellites to low Earth orbit between late 2022 and 2024. These missions will grow HawkEye 360’s constellation of radio frequency monitoring satellites, enabling the company to better deliver precise mapping of radio frequency emissions anywhere in the world. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply HawkEye 360 with separation systems produced by Planetary Systems Corporation, a Maryland-based space hardware company acquired by Rocket Lab in December 2021.
Photo caption:
Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle arrives at the Company's Integration and Control Facility in Virginia ahead of the inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (Photo: Business Wire)
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#7
by
Bean Kenobi
on 12 Oct, 2022 13:06
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According to the video in the tweet above, mission name seems to be "Lifting human potential".
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#8
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 12 Oct, 2022 19:52
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Some higher-res photos from Rocket Lab
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#9
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 13 Oct, 2022 05:52
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According to the video in the tweet above, mission name seems to be "Lifting human potential".
The patch seems generic to LC-2, and not to a particular mission.
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#10
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 13 Oct, 2022 07:28
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https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1580279013779509248Electron is at LC-2, so now the fun begins. In the next few weeks we'll work through a wet dress rehearsal, as well as payload integration with @hawkeye360's spacecraft. Then it's off to orbit in December for this rocket 🚀 🛰️
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#11
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 14 Oct, 2022 05:44
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https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1580774555865337857From this pad and strongback, Electron will take to Virginia skies in December. This dedicated launch for our mission partners @hawkeye360 will be our first mission from U.S. soil, creating a new space capability for the nation. The countdown is on!
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#12
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 19 Oct, 2022 22:37
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#13
by
Trypto
on 09 Nov, 2022 20:33
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#14
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 09 Nov, 2022 21:17
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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221109005960/en/Rocket-Lab-Announces-Launch-Window-for-Inaugural-Electron-Mission-from-Launch-Complex-2-in-VirginiaRocket Lab Announces Launch Window for Inaugural Electron Mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia
After more than 30 missions from Launch Complex 1, Electron is set to lift off from U.S. soil for the first time creating a new responsive launch capability for the nation
November 09, 2022 04:14 PM Eastern Standard Time
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it is scheduled to launch its first Electron mission from Virginia during a launch window opening December 7 EST.
“We are honored and excited to bring a new launch capability to Virginia’s Eastern Shore”
The mission, named “Virginia is for Launch Lovers,” will deploy satellites for leading radio frequency geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360. It will be Rocket Lab’s first lift-off from Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility – a launch pad developed to support Electron missions from U.S. soil for government and commercial customers. The launch window has been set following recent progress by NASA in certifying its Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU) software, which is required to enable Electron launches from Virginia.
Launch Complex 2 supplements Rocket Lab’s existing site, Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, from which 31 Electron missions have already launched. This extensive launch heritage already makes Electron the most frequently launched small orbital rocket globally, and now with two launch complexes combined, Rocket Lab can support more than 130 launch opportunities every year, delivering unmatched flexibility for rapid, responsive launch for government and commercial satellite operators. The launch pad and production complex for Rocket Lab’s large reusable Neutron launch vehicle will also be located at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, streamlining operations across small and large launch.
“We are honored and excited to bring a new launch capability to Virginia’s Eastern Shore,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Electron is well established as the leader in small launch, reliably serving the responsive space needs of the commercial, civil, DoD, and national security markets alike. With our inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2, we are immensely proud to expand on this strong launch heritage by enabling a new capability for the nation from Virginian soil. We look forward to making history this December with our dedicated mission partners HawkEye 360, NASA and Virginia Space.”
"For our fifth cluster of next-generation satellites, we needed optimal orbital flexibility — and Rocket Lab’s new Electron launch pad in Wallops, Virginia provides the perfect domestic capability,” said CEO of HawkEye 360, John Serafini. “Rocket Lab’s inaugural launch facilitates our first mid-latitude satellite cluster, which will strengthen the diversity of our geospatial insights for our government and commercial customers across the globe.”
The “Virginia is for Launch Lovers” mission will be the first of three Electron launches for HawkEye 360 in a contract that will see Rocket Lab deliver 15 satellites to low Earth orbit between late 2022 and 2024. These missions will grow HawkEye 360’s constellation of radio frequency monitoring satellites, enabling the company to better deliver precise geolocation of radio frequency emissions anywhere in the world. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply HawkEye 360 with separation systems produced by Planetary Systems Corporation, a Maryland-based space hardware company acquired by Rocket Lab in December 2021.
For launch fans eager to watch Electron take to Virginia skies for the first time can visit viewing locations on Chincoteague Island including Robert Reed Park on Main Street or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Atlantic beaches also provide good viewing locations. The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will be open for this launch. A live launch webcast will also be available at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream from around T-40 minutes.
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#15
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 09 Nov, 2022 21:40
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https://www.he360.com/hawkeye-360s-cluster-6-satellites-to-lift-off-this-december-from-rocket-labs-new-launchpad-in-virginia/HAWKEYE 360’S CLUSTER 6 SATELLITES TO LIFT OFF THIS DECEMBER FROM ROCKET LAB’S NEW LAUNCHPAD IN VIRGINIA
November 9, 2022
in Featured 1, Press Release
Latest satellites will deepen RF GEOINT coverage for the mid-latitude regions of the globe
Herndon, Virginia (November 9, 2022) — HawkEye 360 Inc., the world’s leading commercial provider of space-based radio frequency (RF) data and analytics, today announced its Cluster 6 next-generation satellites is scheduled to launch during a 13-day window that opens on December 7 aboard the inaugural Rocket Lab Electron flight at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The satellites will enter an inclined orbit to boost revisits over the mid-latitude regions of the globe. This is the first of three dedicated Rocket Lab USA Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) flights contracted by HawkEye 360.
“We’re proud to be a Virginia-based company, with Virginia-developed technology, launching out of the Virginia spaceport,” said HawkEye 360 CEO, John Serafini. “We selected Rocket Lab because of the flexibility it enables for us to place the satellites into an orbit tailored to benefit our customers. Deploying our satellites on Rocket Lab’s inaugural launch is a giant leap in Virginia’s flourishing space economy.”
“Rocket Lab provides a basis for expanding our orbits while driving down our revisit rates throughout the globe,” said HawkEye 360 COO, Rob Rainhart. “I’m so proud of the teams and all that they have accomplished.”
“Our first Electron mission from Launch Complex 2 establishes a new path to orbit for the nation and what better way to start that than by teaming up with HawkEye 360 to launch Virginia-built spacecraft,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “Electron has long been recognized as the leading small launch vehicle and we look forward to continuing to provide a reliable path to orbit, now from two hemispheres.”
“The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority is honored to support the launch of this historic mission alongside HawkEye 360 and Rocket Lab. Hosting Virginia-based HawkEye 360’s payload at our Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport makes this event even more significant,” said Ted Mercer, CEO and Executive Director at Virginia Space. “This is an exciting time for Virginia Space and the Eastern Shore, and we’re looking forward to our continued partnership with HawkEye 360 and Rocket Lab and seeing what the future holds for Virginia’s burgeoning space presence.”
The launch of Cluster 6 will mean HawkEye 360 will have placed 15 next-generation satellites into orbit within two years. This rapid pace will continue in 2023, with Cluster 7 anticipated to launch in February and Clusters 8 and 9 mid-year. Once Cluster 6 is commissioned, HawkEye 360 will be able to collect RF data as frequently as every hour anywhere in the world. The additional capacity and depth of RF GEOINT data will unlock further applications for customers, especially over high-demand areas.
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#16
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 13 Nov, 2022 22:38
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#17
by
Ken the Bin
on 15 Nov, 2022 19:27
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#18
by
trimeta
on 17 Nov, 2022 03:10
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#19
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 17 Nov, 2022 08:08
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https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1593049463152467968We're coming up on one of the final milestones before our first LC-2 mission for @hawkeye360. In the coming days, our team will roll Electron out to the pad, fill it with fuel and conduct a full launch rehearsal in preparation for lift-off on Dec 7 🚀