Official account for Rocket Lab, the end-to-end space company. We build rockets and spacecraft that open access to space to improve life on Earth.
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Media accreditation is now open for our 100th Electron launch.
Join us at Launch Complex 1 for flight 100 to set remote cameras, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s first private orbital launch site, meet the Rocket Lab launch team, watch our 100th lift-off in person.
Apply now: rocketlabcorp.com/100th-laun…
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We've just signed Electron's largest commercial launch contract ever: 20x new launches with Earth-observation constellation operator @synspective 🚀🦉
That brings the total number of Synspective launches on Electron to 47 - the most of any Rocket Lab launch customer. We're proud to continue building out their low Earth orbit constellation through to 2031.
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Our factories have never been busier as we scale production of rockets and spacecraft.
Manufacturing engineers are at the core of this and we’re hiring more in the US and New Zealand.
Join the team: bit.ly/47sPMQM
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A decade of launches from the edge of the world 🚀🇳🇿
Ten years ago, Launch Complex 1 was officially opened and became the world's first private orbital launch site.
What seemed like a crazy idea - making dedicated launches to space frequent and affordable from a farm paddock in New Zealand - is now routine. Across Electron's history, LC-1 has been the launch location for commercial smallsats and science missions, national security payloads, and even a mission to the Moon.
Two launch pads and almost 100 launches later, LC-1 has made New Zealand one of the world's busiest launch countries - proving big things can happen in the most unexpected locations.
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Missed liftoff? Rewatch the launch: piped.video/watch?v=hkLw0Kf_…
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Electron launches for the 97th time and deploys the latest StriX satellite to space for @synspective from Launch Complex 1.
Highlights from today's mission:
✅Launched on 1st attempt
✅18th mission of the year
✅13th launch for Synspective with 100% mission success
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Less than 2 hours to launch with our next mission for @synspective, with LOX fueling underway and weather conditions clear over LC-1.
We have a new T-0 liftoff time:
🚀12:39pm NZST, Sept 26
🚀00:39 UTC, Sept 26
🚀09:39 am JST, Sept 26
🚀8:39 pm EDT, Sept 25
🚀5:39 pm PDT, Sept 25
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Mission details:
🎯 Customer: @synspective
🛰️ Payload: 1x StriX satellite for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging
🌏 Orbit: 559km LEO
📍 Inclination: 37 degrees
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Launch preparations are underway for today's 97th Electron launch.
'Owlright Owlright Owlright' launch window opens:
🚀12:15pm NZST, Sept 26
🚀00:15 UTC, Sept 26
🚀09:15 am JST, Sept 26
🚀8:15 pm EDT, Sept 25
🚀5:15 pm PDT, Sept 25
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Wet Dress Rehearsal DONE ✅ Electron is ready for its 97th launch and latest mission from Launch Complex 1.
'Owlright Owlright Owlright' launch window opens tomorrow:
🚀12:15pm NZST, Sept 26
🚀00:15 UTC, Sept 26
🚀9:15 am JST, Sept 26
🚀8:15 pm EDT, Sept 25
🚀5:15 pm PDT, Sept 25
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It’s official: @IridiumComm shareholders have voted and approved the acquisition by Rocket Lab ✅
By joining forces, we’ll be creating a vertically-integrated space powerhouse that designs, builds, launches, and operates its own constellations to bring critical communications capability to millions of users worldwide.
Full details and next steps: bit.ly/3T53qq1
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Lunar Surface Robotics (Moon)
Rocket Lab supported @FireflySpace's Blue Ghost lunar lander with our MAX Flight and MAX Ground Data Software suites, alongside trajectory design and backup mission operations support.
We also provided the high-efficiency solar panels that powered the Blue Ghost spacecraft that successfully landed on the Mare Cirsium on the lunar surface.
Motiv Space Systems (now Rocket Lab Robotics) also developed the lightweight chassis, mobility actuators, and motor control electronics for @NASA's CADRE autonomous lunar rovers. Currently, we are developing a single-axis scanning gimbal with integrated avionics for the EMILIA-3D PRISM payload, an instrument designed to produce high-resolution 3D thermal maps of the Moon.
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Solar Power on the Red Planet: Ingenuity, InSight, and Perseverance (Mars)
SolAero, acquired by Rocket Lab in 2022, has powered several landmark Mars exploration missions, including:
- Ingenuity Mars Helicopter: Powered by our solar panel — populated with ultra-lightweight, 33% efficient Inverted Metamorphic Multijunction (IMM) solar cells — mounted atop its rotor blades.
- InSight Lander: Our high-efficiency solar panels powered Northrop Grumman's UltraFlex solar arrays in support of the lander's seismic operations on the Martian surface.
- Mars 2020 Cruise Stage: Our solar panels kept Perseverance powered and healthy during its months-long transit to Mars.
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GRAIL & LADEE (Moon)
Motorized Lightband (MLB) separation technology from Planetary Systems Corporation, acquired by Rocket Lab in 2021, supported @NASA's GRAIL and LADEE lunar missions.
These flight-proven, non-pyrotechnic mechanisms provide controlled, low-shock separation between spacecraft and launch-vehicle elements to safeguard delicate science instruments.
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Martian Surface Robotics: Perseverance (Mars)
Rocket Lab Robotics hardware is actively operating on Mars aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover.
Motiv Space Systems, acquired by Rocket Lab this year, designed and built Perseverance’s primary 2-meter, 5-joint robotic arm that positions coring tools directly against Martian rock faces using a 6-DOF force-torque sensor for sampling, and delivered the opto-mechanical system inclusive of zoom, focus, and filter-wheel for the Mastcam-Z science cameras.
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Artemis (Moon)
Under contract with @LockheedMartin, thousands of Rocket Lab’s high-efficiency space-grade solar cell assemblies have powered, or will power, all of the Orion spacecraft for the @NASAArtemis missions. Our cells are integrated into Orion’s four European Service Module solar array wings.
Rocket Lab technology also deployed the secondary deep space payloads on Artemis I: our Canisterized Satellite Dispensers (CSDs), developed by Planetary Systems Corporation, were installed inside the SLS Orion Stage Adapter to cleanly eject 6U CubeSats into lunar and deep-space trajectories.
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ESCAPADE (Mars)
Rocket Lab designed and built twin interplanetary spacecraft - "Blue" and "Gold" - for @NASA and @UCBerkeley's @escapade_mars mission.
Built on our Explorer spacecraft platform, these probes carry Rocket Lab flight computers, star trackers, reaction wheels, and solar arrays to travel millions of miles to Mars orbit to investigate how the solar wind strips away the Martian atmosphere.
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CAPSTONE (Moon)
Rocket Lab launched the CAPSTONE spacecraft for @NASA in June 2022, setting it on course for a unique near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) around the Moon.
The launch was powered by Electron, while the critical trans-lunar injection was carried out by our Lunar Photon spacecraft, one of the earliest operational designs in Rocket Lab’s family of spacecraft.
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Rocket Lab began as a small launch company. Today, our rockets, spacecraft, and components power hundreds of missions for science and exploration, national security, and commercial constellations.
Here's a tiny glimpse of how far we've evolved since Electron's first launch less than 10 years ago.
Rockets unlock space. Satellites do the work. We build and operate both.
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This is the new era of space: commercial companies delivering the cadence, innovation, and capability that once required a nation.
President Trump’s bold, pro-space leadership and commitment to American commercial industry has made this possible. When policy empowers private enterprise to move fast, American space superiority is assured.
Check out the full @MTSlive interview with SPB. piped.video/9lYK4laa4tk?si=X1EP…
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Kickoff complete! Our team recently wrapped up a successful program kickoff for the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) demonstrations in support of @USSpaceForce.
We’re delivering Flatellites with innovative space-based sensing technologies to help mature resilient capabilities for the Joint Force.
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Off to space with our 96th Electron - and our 97th rocket is already lined up for launch this week with another StriX satellite for @synspective.
The launch window for 'Owlright Owlright Owlright' opens:
🚀12:15pm NZST, Sept 26
🚀00:15 UTC, Sept 26
🚀9:15 am JST, Sept 26
🚀8:15 pm EDT, Sept 25
🚀5:15 pm PDT, Sept 25
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Electron launches for the 96th time and deploys the 12th StriX satellite to space for @synspective 🦉🛰️
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LOX'd and loaded for liftoff.
Electron's 96th launch remains set for:
🚀3:22pm NZST, Sept 19
🚀03:22 UTC, Sept 19
🚀12:22 pm JST, Sept 19
🚀11:22 pm EDT, Sept 18
🚀8:22 pm PDT, Sept 18
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Electron is vertical on Pad B at Launch Complex 1 ahead of today's 'Owl By The Dozen' mission for @synspective - our 96th Electron launch. T-2 hours to liftoff.
❄️LOX loading is about to begin
🌤️ Weather: 85% go
🚀 Range: Clear
⏱️ Liftoff: scheduled for 3:22pm NZ local time
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The countdown is underway at Launch Complex 1 with our 12th Electron launch and latest Earth-observation mission for @synspective
"Owl By The Dozen" launch window opens:
🚀3:15pm NZST, Sept 19
🚀03:15 UTC, Sept 19
🚀12:15 pm JST, Sept 19
🚀11:15 pm EDT, Sept 18
🚀8:15 pm PDT, Sept 18
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Wet Dress Rehearsal DONE ✅ Electron is ready for its 96th launch and latest mission from Launch Complex 1 for @synspective.
"Owl By The Dozen" launch window opens tomorrow:
🚀3:15pm NZST, Sept 19
🚀03:15 UTC, Sept 19
🚀12:15 pm JST, Sept 19
🚀11:15 pm EDT, Sept 18
🚀8:15 pm PDT, Sept 18
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Neutron operations are busy on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Our Hungry Hippo fairing has wrapped up pre-flight testing at our Assembly and Integration Complex while down the road at Launch Complex 3, we've completed installation of the ~10m test stand for Neutron's second stage. Neutron's thrust module will be directly tested on the launch mount itself, to verify rocket-to-launch mount interfaces ahead of full vehicle tests on the pad.
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Another dedicated ride to LEO is coming soon for @synspective 🦉🛰️
Electron will lift off this week from Launch Complex 1 to deliver the 12th StriX synthetic aperture radar satellite to space and continue the expansion of their Earth-monitoring constellation.
"Owl By The Dozen" launch window opens:
🚀3:15pm NZST, Sept 19
🚀03:15 UTC, Sept 19
🚀12:15 pm JST, Sept 19
🚀11:15 pm EDT, Sept 18
🚀8:15 pm PDT, Sept 18
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Schedule certainty and precise payload deployment, delivered once again by Electron on our 95th overall launch and 16th mission this year 🚀
With our next commercial constellation launch scheduled in the coming days, Electron's cadence for dedicated small satellite missions remains unmatched.
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Rocket Lab has filed a formal protest with the Government Accountability Office challenging NASA’s award decision for the Mars Telecommunications Network.
NASA’s award decision appears to be inconsistent with the eligibility criteria mandated by Congress. In addition, the agency’s punitive review of Rocket Lab's technical volume was inconsistent, making incorrect assertions and conclusions.
Procurement standards exist to ensure fair competition and protect public investment. We are pursuing this review to ensure those standards are upheld for critical infrastructure that will underpin American exploration at Mars for decades to come.
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'Happily Ever Faster' to orbit 🌌✨ Today we launched our 95th Electron at 3:28 pm NZST and deployed a single Earth observation satellite to a 500km LEO for a confidential customer - our 16th mission of the year with 100% mission success.
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For the first time, we're opening our doors at Wallops Island for an exclusive hiring event at Launch Complexes 2 and 3.
We welcome engineers and technicians who are exceptionally good at what they do and want to see technology they helped build leave the planet.
Accepted candidates will get the rare opportunity to tour our launch pads and facilities, meet with our engineering teams, and interview one-on-one with department leaders
Open Positions:
🔧 Testing Engineers – Vehicle, Avionics, Launch Pad
🔧 Ground Systems Engineers
🔧 Vehicle Integration Engineers
🔧 Mechanical Technicians
🔧 Senior Vehicle Integration and Test Technicians
🔧 Fluids Engineers
🔧 Propulsion Engineers
Apply here: bit.ly/4xkRE8O
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For the last three decades, conventional, multi-junction solar cells have largely relied on germanium wafers.
Today, Rocket Lab announced the production release of IMM Apex, our germanium-free new high-efficiency solar cell to reduce reliance on the supply-constrained critical metals.
Read more here. rocketlabcorp.com/updates/ro…
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Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for @synspective since 2020, with our 11th Electron mission for them successfully launching last week.
Flying dedicated gives constellation operators like Synspective control over launch schedule, launch site, and orbit, enabling them to deploy their constellation exactly how they want to without compromise.
We're booked to fly 16 more missions for Synspective to deploy the rest of their constellation, so we're still just warming up! (and we're gonna need more owl themed mission names 🦉)
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We’ve successfully passed our Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the 18 satellites we're building for @SemperCitiusSDA's Tracking Layer Tranche 3 (TRKT3) constellation. A big step forward in delivering advanced missile warning & defense capabilities for the U.S. and its allies.
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Liftoff for Electron for the 94th time.
Today's 'Owl Around The World' mission for @synspective by the numbers:
🎯15th launch of the year with 100% mission success
🛰️11th StriX satellite deployed by Electron
🚀16 more missions for @synspective before 2030
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Less than 2 hours to liftoff for our 15th mission of the year and Electron's 94th launch.
❄️LOX loading has begun
🌤️ Weather: 70% go
🚀 Range: Clear
⏱️ Liftoff: scheduled for 11:12 pm NZT local time
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Mission details for today's 94th Electron launch:
🚀Name: 'Owl Around The World'
🎯 Customer: @synspective
🛰️ Payload: 1x StriX
🌏 Orbit: 575km LEO
📍 Inclination: 38 degrees
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'Owl Around The World' is our 11th launch with a StriX satellite for @synspective. We've been supporting the build out of their SAR constellation with dedicated launches since 2020, with another 16 launches to go before the end of the decade.
'Owl Around The World' launch window opens:
🚀11:00 pm NZST
🚀11:00 UTC
🚀8:00 pm JST
🚀7:00 am EDT
🚀4:00 am PDT
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We're ready for launch with our 94th Electron and latest mission for @synspective 🚀 The next StriX satellite for their Earth-imaging constellation is integrated, encapsulated, and scheduled for liftoff on Electron in T-8 hours.
'Owl Around The World' launch window opens:
🚀11:00 pm NZST
🚀11:00 UTC
🚀8:00 pm JST
🚀7:00 am EDT
🚀4:00 am PDT
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With strong winds forecast over LC-1 we're moving the launch window for our next Electron mission with @synspective to NET Sept 1.
"Owl Around The World" launch window opens:
🚀11:30 pm NZST
🚀11:30 UTC
🚀8:30 pm JST
🚀7:30 am EDT
🚀4:30 am PDT
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That's a wrap on our latest checkouts for Neutron's reusable Hungry Hippo fairing ✅ The Hippo is now back inside its hangar where it will be integrated with Neutron's interstage once it arrives to the Eastern Shore.
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We've never done a factory tour like this before.
SPB and @MollySOShea part II.
Full interview: piped.video/RTcF6jqrTYs?si=TFkw…
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Peter Beck and @MollySOShea, part 1 📺
Tune in for detailed insights into Rocket Lab's acquisition strategy, Neutron's development process, and why Electron looks they way it does...
BREAKING: Inside Rocket Lab ( $RKLB ) w/ Sir Peter Beck
FULL INTERVIEW (Part I)
We sat down with @Peter_J_Beck Founder & CEO of @RocketLab after another record quarter, $234M in revenue & $2.36B in backlog
"The lawyers hate me saying it, but global domination is definitely part of the plan."
"I didn't want to build a space company that just lives for the lifetime that I'm running it. It needed to be multi-generational."
We go deeper into Iridium, Neutron, the $397M Space Force contract to build + launch "Flatellites," & how 81% of revenue last quarter was outside of launch.
Covering:
› Why the fix for a 9-month lead time was buying the supplier
› The $8B Iridium acquisition & why he was surprised nobody saw it coming
› Why the Neutron question should be about the 10th rocket, not the 1st
› The 24-hour turnaround constraint that produced Hungry Hippo
› Flatellites, building satellites for volume rather than one at a time
Plus: building a launch industry in New Zealand from zero suppliers & no regulation, staying out of broadband to play in L-band, going public before SpaceX, GHOST & the launch site that ships in a container, & why the Archimedes engines are painted black.
𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐒
(00:00) Sir Peter Beck, Founder & CEO at Rocket Lab
(00:59) Rocket Lab's biggest quarter
(02:53) The competitive edge in Space
(04:10) Rocket Lab's Acquisition Strategy
(05:04) Reason behind the Iridium Deal
(06:13) Competing with Blue Origin & SpaceX
(09:56) Rocket Lab's Global Domination
(11:19) Building a Launch Monopoly in New Zealand
(12:33) Is this why Peter got Knighted?
(16:42) Beating SpaceX to the Public Markets
(20:05) Why Neutron is still facing delays
(24:24) The reality of running a Rocket Company
(27:38) Rocket Lab's latest contract wins
(29:04) How defense became a prime mover for Rocket Lab
(30:39) Ghost: Rocket Lab's portable launch pad
(31:30) Has he seen Aliens?
(33:18) What's next for Rocket Lab?
(34:30) Where does Peter draw his inspiration?
(36:12) Why he's never read a Business book
(37:31) Why their Engine is painted black
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Next up on Electron will be our latest dedicated mission to deliver another StriX Earth-imaging satellite to LEO for @synspective.
"Owl Around The World" launch window opens:
🚀00:00 am NZST, Sept 1
🚀12:00 UTC, Aug 31
🚀9:00 pm JST, Aug 31
🚀8:00 am EDT, Aug 31
🚀5:00 am PDT, Aug 31
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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The latest QPS-SAR Earth-imaging satellite by @QPS_Inc is integrated, encapsulated, and ready for launch on Electron this evening.
"The Lightning God Defends" launch window opens:
🚀 1:00 am/13:00 NZST/UTC
🚀 10:00 pm JST
🚀 9:00 am EDT
🚀 6:00 am PDT
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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: rocketlabcorp.com/updates/po…
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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
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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.
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Eight advanced satellite platforms built by Rocket Lab for MDA Space are now in orbit 🛰️🎉
These 500kg Lightning spacecraft buses are incorporated into @MDA_space satellites for @Globalstar.
Read more: bit.ly/4gCgNGP
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Recently our Hungry Hippo reusable fairing received its thermal protection, control surfaces, and avionics and fluid systems 🦛 Now it's on an outside excursion ready to undergo further testing before flight one. Check out the latest pics.
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Archimedes has been cookin'.
🔥 400+ hotfires.
💪 Control & durability confirmed across flight hardware for all major engine components.
🏭 Full engine set for Neutron's first launch in production.
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In missile defense, analysis only gets you so far. Real security and deterrence needs hardware that's tested quickly from the locations that matter.
Our GHOST deployable launch system brings all three: the rockets, the infrastructure, and the experience of operating the world's most frequently-launched small lift rockets.
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Rocket Lab Germany is here.
Europe faces glaring gaps across both launch and spacecraft manufacturing. Rocket Lab Germany addresses these directly, combining opportunities for high-frequency access to space with high-volume satellite production to deploy resilient constellations on rapid timelines.
Read more: bit.ly/4wUJvbS
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Introducing GHOST.
We’ve mastered the art of building launch sites. Now we’re making them deployable worldwide.
GHOST = Global Hypersonic & Orbital Spaceport Technology. A containerized, deployable launch site system that enables Electron and HASTE launches anywhere, anytime.
Missile defense. Responsive launch. Sovereign launch capability. Delivered where it's needed most.
Coming soon across two pads in Alaska in 2027.
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Neutron has been selected for a dedicated launch by @KeplerComms as part of their largest network expansion yet - the first time Kepler has booked an entire rocket for constellation deployment rather than fly rideshare.
Press release: rocketlabcorp.com/updates/ro…
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