Rocket Lab looks to high-frequency launch operations



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US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has today confirmed the launch window for the upcoming ‘‘It’s Business Time’’ mission from its Mahia base.

The nine-day launch window will open from November 11 to 19 (NZDT), with daily launch opportunities between 4pm and 8pm.

The Electron launch vehicle is on site at Launch Complex 1, undergoing final pre-launch checkouts, following a final successful stage one static fire test last week.

As operations for the It’s Business Time launch are under way, Rocket Lab has scaled up its team and facilities to enable concurrent operations for the upcoming NASA mission, scheduled to launch in December.

The Electron vehicle for NASA’s ELaNa XIX payloads will undergo final stage testing in the coming weeks before delivery to Mahia during It’s Business Time launch operations.

Rocket Lab also recently completed two new clean room facilities at Launch Complex 1 to enable payloads for different missions to undergo payload integration simultaneously in separate, secure locations.

Each clean room is equipped with lifting and break-over tools, as well as secure and dedicated customer lounges, offering views of payload integration.

The ability to conduct overlapping engine hot fires, full static stage tests, payload integration and launch operations for multiple missions is a key factor in Rocket Lab’s ability to meet a high-frequency launch cadence.

Following the opening of Rocket Lab’s latest production facility this month, the company is scaling up operations to build, test and launch an Electron every week by the end of 2020.

Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck says while successfully reaching orbit and deploying payloads this year was a significant milestone for the company, transitioning from this to regular, streamlined production and launch operations cements Rocket Lab’s position as leader in the small launch industry.

“This year has been about scaling up our team, facilities and processes to enable reliable, high-frequency Electron launches to orbit. The ability to build and test multiple vehicles, while operating concurrent launch campaigns, strongly positions Rocket Lab as the industry leader — opening access to space for small satellites,” says Mr Beck.

US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has today confirmed the launch window for the upcoming ‘‘It’s Business Time’’ mission from its Mahia base.

The nine-day launch window will open from November 11 to 19 (NZDT), with daily launch opportunities between 4pm and 8pm.

The Electron launch vehicle is on site at Launch Complex 1, undergoing final pre-launch checkouts, following a final successful stage one static fire test last week.

As operations for the It’s Business Time launch are under way, Rocket Lab has scaled up its team and facilities to enable concurrent operations for the upcoming NASA mission, scheduled to launch in December.

The Electron vehicle for NASA’s ELaNa XIX payloads will undergo final stage testing in the coming weeks before delivery to Mahia during It’s Business Time launch operations.

Rocket Lab also recently completed two new clean room facilities at Launch Complex 1 to enable payloads for different missions to undergo payload integration simultaneously in separate, secure locations.

Each clean room is equipped with lifting and break-over tools, as well as secure and dedicated customer lounges, offering views of payload integration.

The ability to conduct overlapping engine hot fires, full static stage tests, payload integration and launch operations for multiple missions is a key factor in Rocket Lab’s ability to meet a high-frequency launch cadence.

Following the opening of Rocket Lab’s latest production facility this month, the company is scaling up operations to build, test and launch an Electron every week by the end of 2020.

Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck says while successfully reaching orbit and deploying payloads this year was a significant milestone for the company, transitioning from this to regular, streamlined production and launch operations cements Rocket Lab’s position as leader in the small launch industry.

“This year has been about scaling up our team, facilities and processes to enable reliable, high-frequency Electron launches to orbit. The ability to build and test multiple vehicles, while operating concurrent launch campaigns, strongly positions Rocket Lab as the industry leader — opening access to space for small satellites,” says Mr Beck.



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