LAUNCH CENTER

Success

Tue Jul 18 2023

Rocket Lab

Baby Come Back

Launch Successful

LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

(1:27 AM UTC)

Launch Window Start

(11:30 PM UTC)

Launch Window End

(1:30 AM UTC)

RECOVERY OVERVIEW

Location

No Recovery Specified

Type

No Recovery Specified

Rocket Details

Name:

Electron

Description:

Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage.

MISSION OVERVIEW

Type: Dedicated Rideshare
The "Baby Come Back" mission includes NASA's Starling project, which consists of four CubeSats designed to test technologies for future swarm missions. Telesat contributes the LEO 3 demonstration satellite, ensuring continuity for customers and ecosystem vendor testing. Additionally, two 3U satellites carrying GNSS-RO payloads from SpinGlobal will replenish their constellation of over 100 multipurpose satellites.

COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Pad

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B