LAUNCH CENTER

Success

Sat Jun 29 2019

Rocket Lab

Make It Rain

Launch Successful

LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

(4:30 AM UTC)

Launch Window Start

(4:30 AM UTC)

Launch Window End

(6:30 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
Rideshare mission for Spaceflight. Electron will launch seven spacecraft, including a commercial Earth-observing microsatellite for BlackSky, two CubeSats for U.S. Special Operations Command, a pair of tiny prototype data relay nodes for Swarm Technologies, a student-built payload from Australia called ACRUX-1, and a satellite whose identity and owner remain a secret. The mission is named "Make it Rain" in a nod to the high volume of rainfall in Seattle, where Spaceflight is headquartered, as well in New Zealand where Launch Complex 1 is located.

COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Pad

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A