Rocket Lab has performed the first operational flight of its Electron rocket, named It’s Business Time. The mission launched six satellites, two for Spire Global, two new additional passengers for Fleet Space Technologies via the lofting of two ‘Proxima’ satellites, one for GeoOptics Inc., and one for Irvine CubeSat STEM Program. It also launched one technology demonstrator for High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH. The rocket was to liftoff in June before a stand down requiring a realignment into November. The launch window opened at 03:00 UTC on Sunday morning, before launching at 03:50 UTC.
"Electron"
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Commercial
Rocket Lab selects Wallops as first U.S. launch site, readies Electron for November launch
U.S.-based company Rocket Lab has announced the selection of Wallops at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport…
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Rocket Lab has announced a new, target 14-day launch window for the upcoming third flight…
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Rocket Lab has returned to action with the second launch of its Electron rocket from…
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The U.S.-based Rocket Lab corporation has entered the commercial launch market with the maiden flight…
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United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV rocket is now scheduled to launch on Friday for its…
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ChineseInternationalISSRussianSpaceXUncrewed
Launch Roundup: two missions to the ISS, including first Dragon 2 from SLC-40
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A team of NASA-funded scientists recently discovered long-lasting radio signals above sunspots — regions of…
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The focus of the week ahead is dominated, of course, by the much anticipated third…
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CommercialInternationalJapanUncrewed
Japan’s first commercial launch explodes shortly into flight on second attempt
by Martin SmithSpace One had been planning Japan’s first private-sector orbital launch with the debut of its…
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Using the joint NASA, European Space Agency, and Canadian Space Agency James Webb Space Telescope…
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CommercialInternationalOther
ADRAS-J mission takes methodical first steps toward the commercial removal of space debris
by Martin SmithThe recent increase in launches to meet growing demands for communications and observation satellites is…
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Japan’s H3 rocket made a second attempt to reach orbit on Saturday, 11 months after…
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ArtemisCommercialOtherScienceSpaceX
SpaceX launches Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission from Florida
by John SharpA SpaceX Falcon 9 launched a lunar lander for Intuitive Machines (IM) of Houston, Texas.…
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Artemis
While Artemis II schedule remains uncertain, NASA EGS preparing to be ready and waiting for stacking
by Philip SlossAt the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program continues to prepare…
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ChineseInternationalOtherScienceSpaceX
Launch Roundup: NASA’s PACE mission, Chinese art satellites, and more Starlink missions
by John SharpFebruary started with two Chinese launches. On Feb. 2, a Long March 2C rocket launched…
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Rocket Lab launched its first launch of 2024, with the Electron launch vehicle lofting four…
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EuropeanInternationalOtherScience
IXPE investigates microquasar jets, finds unexpected magnetic field structure
Creating some of the most powerful gravitational forces and fields in the universe, black holes…
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ChineseCommercialInternationalNorthrop GrummanSpaceX
Launch Roundup: Northrop Grumman prepare the first Cygnus to fly on Falcon 9
by Martin SmithRecent challenges with weather concerns and the movement of key flights such as USSF-52 and…
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InternationalJapanOtherScience
Japan’s SLIM lands on the Moon upside down, overcomes power issues
by John SharpJapan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) lunar lander appears to have achieved a soft…