http://www.space.com/34195-rocket-lab-opens-private-launch-site-new-zealand.html

Rocket Lab Opens Private Orbital Launch Site in New Zealand

On a remote peninsula in New Zealand, construction has been completed what appears to be the world’s first private launch complex for orbital space flights.

The Los Angeles-based commercial spaceflight company Rocket Lab announced the completion of Launch Complex 1 today (Sept. 26 EDT, Sept. 27 local time in New Zealand). The company plans to use the facility to launch its Electron rocket, which is designed to carry small satellites and other small payloads.

Air traffic near the launch complex site is fairly sparse, which the company says will allow it to achieve the “highest frequency of launches in history,” according to a statement from the company obtained by Space.com. Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s CEO, told Space.com in an interview that the complex is licensed to conduct a launch as frequently as every 72 hours. However, the company expects to carry out a launch about four to five times per month, he said.

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https://rocketlabusa.com/rocket-lab-launch-complex-1-ready-for-launches/

Rocket Lab is pleased to announce the completion of the world’s first private orbital launch complex, Launch Complex 1.
Located on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, Launch Complex 1 is set to enable the highest frequency of space launches in history. The facility will be the primary site for launches of Rocket Lab’s Electron vehicle, designed to lift a 150 kg payload to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit.
New Zealand’s remote island location and low volume of marine and air traffic create ideal conditions for frequent launch opportunities. In addition, launches from the site can access a uniquely wide range of orbital inclinations – from 39 degrees through sun-synchronous.
Facilities at Launch Complex 1 include a vehicle processing hangar where the vehicle will be prepared for launch as well as a 50 tonne launch platform. The platform will tilt forward to lift the rocket to a vertical position prior to launch.
Satellites launched from the complex will be used to provide services including optimized crop monitoring, improved weather reporting, internet from space, natural disaster prediction, up-to-date maritime data and search and rescue services.
Rocket Lab has completed major milestones this year with the qualification of the 3D printed Rutherford engine, qualification of the second stage of the Electron rocket and the development of major infrastructure including remote tracking, test facilities and the launch site. The company is currently working through the qualification of the first stage of the Electron rocket and will look to begin the test flight phase once qualification and launch licencing are complete.

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I thought launch sites were best located near the equator?

I find it hard to believe that Elon Musk isn’t involved, and putting out a press release.

Looks like they’ll be spending some money then?

DV, don’t swear on the sssf fb please.

Witty Rejoinder said:

I thought launch sites were best located near the equator?

These will be for sun-synchronous orbits, which are near-polar (and hence get no advantage from being at low latitude).

roughbarked said:

Looks like they’ll be spending some money then?

Who?

Witty Rejoinder said:

I thought launch sites were best located near the equator?

Launch sites far from the equator never stopped the Russians.

Good on Rocket Lab. I had written them off as minor players.

Anyone involved will either be spending, earning or much of both.

Witty Rejoinder said:

I thought launch sites were best located near the equator?

Less energy required for an equatorial launch, but very crowded bit os space.

dv said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

I thought launch sites were best located near the equator?

These will be for sun-synchronous orbits, which are near-polar (and hence get no advantage from being at low latitude).

Interesting.

Ta.

:-)

Good to see that the rocket is qualified.

Rocket Labs 3D-print their Rutherford engines

Their default launch frame has room for 8 “1U” standard satellites (basic Cubesats) and 24 larger “3U” standard satellites, though these can be reconfigured for different sizes.

The price for one of their Cubesat berths is 80000 USD. This puts it in the range of a larger university space research program. (Some later berths can be booked now for 70000 USD).

Although their plan is to eventually be running four or five launches per month, so far they are only scheduling one launch later this year, and nine per year up to 2019.

They are fully booked up to the first quarter of 2018.

Although the 500 km altitude sun-synchronous orbits will be their bread and butter, they are scheduling a few low-inclination orbits.

Interesting launch tower. The top is a simple incomplete ring of steel. The base is a raised steel plate over a simple opening. Small enough to lift into place by crane.

http://www.space.com/36877-rocket-lab-mini-launcher-maiden-flight-nears.html
Maiden Flight for Rocket Lab’s Mini Launcher Nears

When Rocket Lab’s small satellite launcher blasts off from New Zealand next week on its debut test flight, it will be more than just the Electron rocket that is on trial.

The flight, which Rocket Lab playfully named “It’s a Test,” also will serve as a shakedown for the world’s first commercial spaceport for orbital flights and as a test of procedures for launching from a country that has never flown a rocket into space before.

“It’s a test of not just the launch vehicle, but all this brand-new infrastructure,” Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck said in an interview with Space.com. “There’s apt to be some teething problems.”

The Electron rocket was launched a few hours ago. It reached “space” but unfortunately did not successfully attain orbit.

dv said:

The Electron rocket was launched a few hours ago. It reached “space” but unfortunately did not successfully attain orbit.

I’d have thought there were enough previous launches that this sort of problem would be sorted out by now, but maybe the important things to know are just not in the public domain.

The Rev Dodgson said:

dv said:

The Electron rocket was launched a few hours ago. It reached “space” but unfortunately did not successfully attain orbit.

I’d have thought there were enough previous launches that this sort of problem would be sorted out by now, but maybe the important things to know are just not in the public domain.

Was it meant to reach orbit?

The Rev Dodgson said:

dv said:

The Electron rocket was launched a few hours ago. It reached “space” but unfortunately did not successfully attain orbit.

I’d have thought there were enough previous launches that this sort of problem would be sorted out by now, but maybe the important things to know are just not in the public domain.

You’d hope that space agencies worldwide would share various rocketry secrets (baring military ones) so that people don’t have too many teething problems

The Rev Dodgson said:

dv said:

The Electron rocket was launched a few hours ago. It reached “space” but unfortunately did not successfully attain orbit.

I’d have thought there were enough previous launches that this sort of problem would be sorted out by now, but maybe the important things to know are just not in the public domain.

If I built my first motorbike, I wouldn’t expect it to break the land speed record on it’s first run, even if that’s what it was designed to do.

Things have to be tested and tuned.