Tag: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab Unveils Spacecraft Program

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Photon system (Credit: Rocket Lab)

Rocket Lab becomes an integrated spacecraft builder and launch provider, enabling small satellite operators to focus on delivering data and services from space

Space Symposium, Colorado Springs. April 8, 2019 (Rocket Lab PR) – U.S. small satellite launch company Rocket Lab has announced the next evolution of its mission services; the in-house designed and built Photon™ satellite platform.

As the global leader in small satellite launch, Rocket Lab now delivers an integrated spacecraft build and launch service. The end-to-end mission solution enables small satellite customers to focus on delivering their service from orbit and generating revenue, rather than building their own satellite hardware.

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Rocket Lab to Launch 3 More Defense Satellites Later This Month

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Ellectron launches NASA’s Venture Class CubeSats. (Credit: Rocket Lab)

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., April 3, 2019 (Rocket Lab PR) — U.S. small satellite launch company Rocket Lab announced today that it will launch three experimental research and development (R&D) satellites for the U.S. Air Force in April. The mission will lift-off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, carrying three R&D spacecraft to Low Earth Orbit aboard an Electron launch vehicle. The launch will be Rocket Lab’s second orbital mission of 2019, and fifth orbital mission overall.
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Rocket Lab Successfully Launches DARPA’s R3D2 Satellite

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Electron lifts off with DARPA’s R3D2 satellite. (Credits: Kieran Fanning, Sam Tom)

The launch marks Rocket Lab’s 25th satellite deployed to orbit, continuing the company’s mission success heritage

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., March 28, 2019 (Rocket Lab PR) – A Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula at 23:27, March 28th UTC (12:27, 29 March NZDT). The mission launched a prototype reflect array antenna to orbit for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

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Rocket Lab Scrubs Electron Launch

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Rocket Lab Electron Launch Set for Sunday

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DARPA Prototype Reflectarray Antenna Offers High Performance in Small Package

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MMA Design successfully completes deployment testing of its innovative high-compaction ratio reflectarray antenna in its Louisville, Colorado facilities. (Credit: DARPA)

Editor’s Note: The 13-day window for the launch of DARPA’s R3D2 satellite aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron booster from New Zealand opens no earlier than March 16.

ARLINGTON, Va. (DARPA PR) — DARPA’s Radio Frequency Risk Reduction Deployment Demonstration (R3D2) is set for launch in mid-March to space-qualify a new type of membrane reflectarray antenna. The antenna, made of a tissue-thin Kapton membrane, packs tightly for stowage during launch and then will deploy to its full size of 2.25 meters in diameter once it reaches low Earth orbit.

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Rocket Lab to Conduct Dedicated Launch for DARPA

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Ellectron launches NASA’s Venture Class CubeSats. (Credit: Rocket Lab)

Huntington Beach, California. January 22, 2019 (Rocket Lab PR) – Small satellite launch company Rocket Lab announced today that its first mission of 2019 will be a dedicated launch of a 150kg satellite for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The mission highlights US Government demand for the type of responsive, ultra-flexible and rapidly acquired launch service that characterizes the Rocket Lab launch experience on Electron.

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Kleos Space Satellites Move into Integration Phase After Critical Design Review with Gomspace

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LUXEMBOURG, 21 January 2019 (Kleos Space PR) — Kleos Space S.A. (ASX:KSS, Frankfurt:KS1), the space technology provider of activity-based intelligence data for defence, asset protection and rescue, confirmed that their first cluster of satellites has entered the Integration Phase after successfully undergoing Critical Design Review (CDR) with Gomspace A/S. The CDR ensured the satellites could proceed towards assembly, validation, integration and testing and confirms they meet stated performance cost, schedule, and risk requirements.

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Rocket Lab Appoints Lars Hoffman as Senior Vice President – Global Launch Services

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Lars Hoffman

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.,  January 8, 2019 (Rocket Lab PR) — Small satellite launch provider Rocket Lab has appointed Lars Hoffman to the role of Senior Vice President (SVP) – Global Launch Services, as the company enters its second year of commercial orbital launches.

In his role as SVP – Global Launch Services, Mr. Hoffman will lead Rocket Lab’s sales, business development and customer experience teams to continue delivering frequent, reliable and tailored launch services to the small satellite market.

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NASA Sends CubeSats to Space on Rocket Lab Electron Booster

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Ellectron launches NASA’s Venture Class CubeSats. (Credit: Rocket Lab)

MAHIA PENINSULA, New Zealand (NASA PR) — A series of new CubeSats now are in space, conducting a variety of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, following launch Sunday of Rocket Lab’s first mission for NASA under a Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) contract.

An Electron rocket lifted off at 1:33 a.m. EST (7:33 p.m. NZDT) from the company’s launch complex on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand, marking the first time CubeSats have launched for NASA on a rocket designed specifically for small payloads.

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Rocket Lab Launches NASA CubeSats on First Ever Venture Class Launch Services Mission

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Ellectron launches NASA’s Venture Class CubeSats. (Credit: Rocket Lab)

HUNTINGTON Beach Calif. (Rocket Lab PR)  – US small satellite launch company Rocket Lab has launched its third orbital mission of 2018, successfully deploying satellites to orbit for NASA. The mission, designated Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa)-19 , took place just over a month after Rocket Lab’s last successful orbital launch, ‘It’s Business Time.’ Rocket Lab has launched a total of 24 satellites to orbit in 2018.

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