From Long Beach to orbit!

Built and tested for MDA space at Rocket Lab’s headquarters, our advanced satellite platforms are supporting Globalstar’s direct-to-device communications services and IoT applications.

This image was captured from one of our Lightning platforms shortly after it started its new life in orbit.

Rocket Lab has been selected by the USSpaceForce for the Space Data Network Consortium and awarded $12m in contracts to support the development of a secure, high-speed global communications network for military operations.

As part of the SDN Backbone program, Rocket Lab will design, test, and demonstrate technologies that enable seamless, secure, optical, communication, communications between satellites and ground system.

Rocket Lab will also deliver an in-orbit demonstration of our Photon spacecraft, helping prove interoperability for the Space Force’s resilient, low-latency data transport network.

Full details in the press release: https://t.co/VcO93JFLsc

Electron's next launch will be another dedicated mission for QPS Inc to deliver the latest QPS-SAR satellite in their Earth-imaging constellation to low Earth orbit.

"The Lightning God Defends" launch window opens early tomorrow:
🚀1:00 am NZST, Aug 21
🚀13:00 UTC, Aug 20
🚀10:00 pm JST, Aug 20
🚀9:00 am EDT, Aug 20
🚀6:00 am PDT, Aug 20

Rocket Lab Robotics will be supporting uarizona's EMILIA-3D lunar instrument with a single axis instrument gimbal to allow the payload camera (provided by NAU) to generate 3D thermal models of the lunar terrain.

The gimbal is a completely integrated avionic and scan system qualified to operate within the lunar environment and resilient to exposure to the lunar regolith.

More details: https://t.co/3ZcHRTSqXh

Just under 6 hours until our next Electron launch and latest mission for QPS Inc. Horizontal checkouts are underway before Electron is raised vertical on Pad B at Launch Complex 1 for our 14th launch of the year.

Launch window opens:
🚀 1:00 am/13:00 NZST/UTC
🚀 10:00 pm JST
🚀 9:00 am EDT
🚀 6:00 am PDT

Electron is vertical on the pad at LC-1 for our 14th mission of the year and latest launch for QPS Inc.

Launch window opens:
🚀 1:00 am/13:00 NZST/UTC
🚀 10:00 pm JST
🚀 9:00 am EDT
🚀 6:00 am PDT

LOX fueling has begun for Electron's next launch in just under T-2 hours. Weather is 80% favorable, the range is clear, and preparations remain on track for the launch window opening at 1:00 am NZST.

🚀 Join us LIVE for Electron’s 93rd mission and 9th launch for QPS_inc, “The Lightning God Defends” https://t.co/64912Qmw2s

LIFTOFF! Electron has launched for the 93rd time🚀

Our 93rd Electron rocket on its way to space for QPS Inc.

Pre-flight testing with Hungry Hippo is underway 🦛 We're opening and closing the Hippo's two permanently attached fairing halves under flight-like conditions to simulate how they'll perform for Stage 2 deployment and Neutron's return to Earth.

After testing, Hippo will return to its hangar and wait to be attached with Neutron's interstage when it arrives in Virginia.