Rocket Lab’s 67th rocket has launched in the early morning Hawke’s Bay darkness, just 48 hours out from its 68th launch.
“Get The Hawk Outta Here” launched on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from the company’s launch complex in Mahia at 5.28am on Friday morning on behalf of HawkEye360, an American radio frequency geospatial analytics provider.
The mission sent four satellites to a 520km orbit, with a trio of microsatellites to collect and geolocate radio frequency signals from around the world and an experimental satellite designed to evaluate emerging capabilities and future technology enhancements.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck said the launch was another “seamless ride” to orbit for Electron, with the four satellites deployed with “absolute precision”.
“With our next mission set to launch in less than 48 hours – the fastest we’ve ever scheduled back-to-back missions from the same launch site – I’m proud of the team for continuing to deliver the high-cadence, responsive launch that our customers rely on,” he said.
Rocket Lab’s next scheduled mission, “Symphony In The Stars”, will launch a single spacecraft to a 650km orbit for a confidential commercial customer no earlier than 6.45pm on Saturday.