
Rocket Lab has confirmed that its next-generation Electron booster rocket is prepped and ready for the company’s 10th mission, named “Running Out Of Fingers”, in late November from the company’s New Zealand launch facility.
Onboard this rideshare mission are six spacecraft comprised of 5cm PocketQube microsatellites from satellite manufacturer and mission management provider Alba Orbital.
The final payload on board was procured by satellite rideshare and mission management provider Spaceflight for ALE Co Ltd (ALE), a Tokyo-based company creating microsatellites that simulate meteor particles.
Electron’s first stage will not be recovered from this mission. However, the stage includes new hardware and sensors to inform future recovery efforts.
As part of a first stage block upgrade, Electron’s booster will include guidance and navigation hardware, including S-band telemetry and onboard flight computer systems, to gather data during the first stage’s atmospheric re-entry.
The stage is also equipped with a reaction control system to orient the booster during its re-entry descent.
Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO, Peter Beck, said increasing launch frequency for small-satellite operators is the key driver behind Rocket Lab’s reusability program.
“Reaching our 10th flight within only two years of commercial operations is an incredible achievement. Thanks to the continued dedication and passion of the teams at Rocket Lab, responsive and frequent access to space is the new normal for small satellites,” Beck explained.
Payloads onboard “Running Out Of Fingers”:
“As we move beyond once-a-month missions towards our goal of weekly launches, recovering and reusing Electron could play a significant role in increasing launch frequency,” Beck added.
Receive the latest developments and updates on Australia’s space industry direct to your inbox. Subscribe today to Space Connect here.