Rocket Lab USA announced it has successfully launched its 35th Electron rocket, deploying 2 multi-spectral Gen-2 satellites to low Earth orbit for BlackSky through launch services provider Spaceflight. This mission took place just 7 days following the company’s previous Electron mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, setting a new company record for fastest turnaround between Electron missions.
The mission – which was called “The Beat Goes On” – lifted off at 09:14 UTC, 24 March 2023 from Pad B at Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab’s private launch site on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
“The Beat Goes On” was Rocket Lab’s seventh launch for BlackSky since 2019 and helped to build out BlackSky’s growing real-time geospatial intelligence constellation.
Along with delivering BlackSky’s satellites to orbit, Rocket Lab accomplished a successful ocean splashdown of Electron’s first stage in an effort to make Electron the world’s first reusable orbital small launch vehicle. And the first stage will now be transported back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for assessment, testing and requalification to inform future recovery missions. Pending the outcome of these assessments Rocket Lab may choose to proceed with marine operations as the primary recovery method, opting to transition away from helicopter use.
Now Rocket Lab is on track this year to surpass its launch record of 9 launches set in 2022 with 15 planned launches. Upcoming disclosed Electron missions in 2023 include 2 launches for the NASA TROPICS constellation, the first of five dedicated missions for Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity provider Kinéis; several launches for Capella Space, and the launch of a mission to demonstrate space debris removal technology by Astroscale Japan.
KEY QUOTE:
“Electron has repeatedly proven itself as a reliable constellation builder and today we’re proud to deliver mission success once again for BlackSky and Spaceflight after many previous missions together. Launching two successful missions just seven days apart from two different hemispheres is a real demonstration of responsive space in action, and successfully splashing down Electron’s first stage as part of our reusability program is the icing on the cake.”
— Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck
