Rocket Lab launches from the Hawke's Bay after weather improves - Stuff.co.nz

ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket test launched from Mahia Peninsula earlier in the year.

Rocket Lab has made it back into space after unfavourable weather cleared in Hawke's Bay on Sunday.

It was the New Zealand-based company's second commercial flight and first since partnering with US space agency Nasa.

The company said its Electron rocket launched from its Hawke's Bay facility on the Mahia peninsula about 8pm on Sunday.

The rocket carries 13 satellites and left Earth from the launch pad on New Zealand's east coast.

"This is a really significant mission for both Rocket Lab and Nasa," a company spokeswoman said.

ROCKET LAB
Sunday's launch would be Rocket Lab's first with Nasa.

Normally, these types of satellites hitch rides on larger launches, she said.

"That means they are prone to delays and can't necessarily go to the exact orbits that they want to. So, this marks a significant time for the team here at Rocket lab to be able to put it into orbit for Nasa."

There was a nine-day launch window for the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites 19 (ELaNa-19) mission, ending on December 21.

Started in 2006 by Aucklander Peter Beck, Rocket Lab developed rocket technology to provide access to orbit for small satellites.

The spokeswoman said the company hoped to increase operations in the coming year.

ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab's mission control in Mount Wellington controlled all of its global launches.

"2019 is going to be a huge year for Rocket Lab. We are targeting 16 launches. We are really ramping up that launch cadence to open access to space for small satellites," she said.

"We are building our second launch pad in the US at the Nasa facility. But the Launch Complex 1 on on the Mahia peninsula will always be our high-frequency, high-volume site."

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