The blasts off, from the same complex in Mahia, New Zealand, mark the shortest turnaround in the company’s history, and the fourth blast-off using its Electron rocket in June.
Rocket Lab has previously outlined that one of its unique selling points over larger rivals such as SpaceX is its ability to turn around launches quickly.
After the second blast-off on Saturday, the company’s founder, Sir Peter Beck, hailed Electron as the “gold standard” for responsive and reliable space access for small satellites.
“The future of space is built on proven performance, and Electron continues to deliver against a stacked launch manifest this year,” he said.
“Congratulations to the team on achieving its fastest launch turnaround yet between two missions from Launch Complex 1.
“This launch was also a quick-turn mission to meet our customer’s mission requirements, and we’re looking forward to doing it again later this year.”
The first blast-off, on 26 June, placed four HawkEye 360 satellites into orbit, while the second, for a confidential customer, blasted off from a separate pad at the same site. US website Space News speculated that the latter launch was for EchoStar, a company that deploys small satellites for IoT services.
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In total, Rocket Lab has now launched Electron 68 times since its introduction to service.
Designed in California, Electron is 18 metres high, made of carbon composite and powered by 3D-printed engines. It has already deployed more than 200 satellites for a diverse range of customers, including NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the US Space Force.
The news of a double launch comes after Space Connect reported in May how Rocket Lab doubled down on its ambition to become a defence prime that can compete for major US contracts.
In an interview, CEO Beck said his company could become a “disruptive, non-traditional prime” and build and deploy entire satellite systems for military clients.
“We want to make sure that we are positioned to be exactly what the US government is asking for … and that is, a new, disruptive prime that can deploy at a cost, in a frequency that hasn’t been achieved yet,” Beck said.
Earlier that month, Rocket Lab also announced it would purchase satellite payload provider Geost in a US$275 million deal. The agreement gives the New Zealand company access to the same kind of sensor technology used by the US for missile warning systems and space surveillance.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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