Rocket Lab is preparing to launch its workhorse Electron rocket for the 50th time, a remarkable feat in the history of spaceflight. The 18-meter-tall, two-stage rocket, which first flew in May 2017, has been a stalwart of the small satellite deployment market, with most of its missions launching small commercial satellites for various customers. The latest mission, dubbed “No Time Toulouse,” is the first of five dedicated launches that will deploy a 25-satellite constellation for French internet of things (IoT) company Kinéis. The launch is currently scheduled for 6:13 a.m. local time on Friday, June 21, from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.
Kinéis, the customer for Electron’s 50th flight, is backed by private and public investors, including the French government’s space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales) and CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites), an international space-based solutions provider. The company’s satellite constellation will provide a global IoT connectivity network, enabling various devices to communicate with each other.
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has been a game-changer in the small satellite launch market, offering frequent and reliable dedicated launches for companies and organizations. The rocket’s 50th flight is a testament to Rocket Lab’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to providing its customers with reliable and efficient launch services.
Rocket Lab’s CEO, Sir Peter Beck, expressed his pride and gratitude to the team that has worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone. “Making it to your first launch is not a given, so reaching 50 Electron launches is an enormous achievement and a rare feat in the history of spaceflight,” he said. “I’m immensely proud of the team for bringing an industry-defining rocket to market, making frequent and reliable dedicated small launch a reality for the first time.”
The 50th Flight for Rocket Lab’s Electron Rocket Marks a Milestone in Spaceflight
The launch will also mark a significant milestone for Rocket Lab, as it continues to expand its presence in the satellite-deployment sector. The company has recently begun launching from U.S. soil and is also working on a more powerful next-generation rocket, called Neutron, which will be capable of carrying humans.
For those interested in watching the launch, Rocket Lab will be providing live coverage via the embedded player at the top of this page. The coverage will begin at 5:15 a.m. local time on Friday, June 21, about an hour before the scheduled launch time. Folks are advised to check Rocket Lab’s social media feed for confirmation of the launch time, as the weather in the area is reportedly still a bit unsettled.
The 50th flight of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is a significant achievement in the history of spaceflight, marking a milestone in the company’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to providing reliable and efficient launch services to its customers. As Rocket Lab continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, its 50th launch is a testament to its vision and expertise in the industry.
