Rocket Lab's Electron Launches Earth Observation Satellites from New Zealand

Rocket Lab's Electron Launches Earth Observation Satellites from New Zealand

Just seven days after a successful Electron mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, USA, Rocket Lab has completed another successful mission from the other side of the planet at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, demonstrating responsive launch capability from two hemispheres and setting a new company record for fastest turnaround between Electron missions.

The mission also saw Rocket Lab successfully splash down Electron’s first stage in the ocean as part of the Company’s plan to make Electron a reusable rocket.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. launched its 35th Electron rocket from Mahia, New Zealand, deploying two multi-spectral Gen-2 satellites to low Earth orbit for BlackSky through launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc.  

The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,” lifted off at 09:14 UTC, March 24, 2023, from Pad B at Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab’s private launch site on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.

“The Beat Goes On” mission will deploy two BlackSky high-resolution, multi-spectral, Gen-2 satellites. As a secondary mission, Rocket Lab plans to recover Electron’s first stage after it parachutes back to Earth and splashes down in the ocean.

Credit: Rocket Lab/Phil Yeo

Release Date: March 24, 2023

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