Rocket Lab reaches orbit again, deploys more satellites

Rocket Lab has continued the success of its 2018 orbital launch program with the launch of seven payloads to orbit today. The mission, named 'It's Business Time,' marks Rocket Lab's second successful orbital launch and deployment of customer satellites.

Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle lifted-off from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula at 16:50 on 11 November NZDT (03:50 UTC).

After first reaching orbit on Electron's second stage, the Curie kick stage successfully separated and circularized its orbit before deploying six satellites for customers Spire Global, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Fleet Space Technologies and the Irvine CubeSat Stem Program.

Curie also carried NABEO, a drag sail technology demonstrator, designed and built by High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH, to passively de-orbit inactive small satellites and reduce space junk.

Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck says the mission marks a new era in access to space.

"The world is waking up to the new normal. With the Electron launch vehicle, rapid and reliable access to space is now a reality for small satellites," says Beck.

"We're thrilled to be leading the small satellite launch industry by reaching orbit a second time and deploying more payloads. The team carried out a flawless flight with incredibly precise orbital insertion. " he says.

Rocket Lab is poised for high-frequency launches in 2019 thanks to production facilities that enable rapid mass Electron production, as well as a private launch complex licensed to launch up to 120 times per year.

"With two orbital launches down for 2018, we're not resting on our laurels. We have a burgeoning customer manifest, so we're moving onto the next mission within a few weeks - the incredibly exciting ELaNa 19 mission for NASA in December."

The full webcast for It's Business Time can be viewed here

Related Links
Rocket Lab
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Russia plans to carry out 17 space launches in 2018
Moscow (Sputnik) Nov 05, 2018
Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos will carry out 17 space launches in 2018 and over 35 launches in 2019, Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin told Sputnik. "If this year we have only 17 launches, then next [year] we have over 35, and 10 of them are heavy rockets," Rogozin said, adding that nine heavy rockets will be Protons and one - Angara. Earlier, Sergei Krikalev, Roscosmos executive director of manned space programs, said that the next expedition will fly to the International Space Sta ... read more