After successfully conducting back-to-back flights from their recently-inaugurated US launch site, Rocket Lab returned to New Zealand for its second mission in March. Liftoff of “The Beat Goes On” mission took place on Friday, March 24 at 10:14 PM NZDT (09:14 UTC).
This mission marked the 35th total flight of the California-based company’s venerable two-stage Electron launcher, and the third mission launched by Rocket Lab so far in 2023. It was also the first flight of the year from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, following a four-month-long lull in action since the launch of “Catch Me If You Can” in November 2022.