U.S. space company based in New Zealand, Rocket Lab, successfully put its first Electron commercial rocket into orbit from Hawke’s Bay’s Mahia Peninsula.
The rocket, dubbed ‘It’s Business Time’, took off from Māhia Peninsula at 4.50pm on Sunday.
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket lifted six satellites and a technology demonstrator to low Earth orbit.
Rocket Lab launched its first Electron rocket “Still Testing” in January, but this is its first rocket with a commercial payload.
As the launch was heavily dependent on weather, Rocket Lab had set up a nine-day launch window from November 11 till November 19 for the attempts.
Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck said the company had expanded its global production, to launch an Electron rocket to orbit every week by 2020.
“Every detail of the Rocket Lab launch system has been designed to provide small satellites with rapid and reliable access to space,” Beck said.
The launching service will allow satellites to be transported, used for apps like Uber or Google Maps.
8 Responses
Was that launched in New Zealand
yes
This was launched in New Zealand
cool
I thought is was Launched in U.S.A because I get confused whether if it’s from NZ or U.S.A.
Wow
ok
Cool lets blast off