A rocket with small satellites arrives at the first launch in New Zealand

A rocket with small satellites arrives at the first launch in New Zealand

Rocket Lab is one of dozens of companies around the world building rockets to match the expected boom in small satellite launches.

The Electron rocket is one of at least 17 satellite launchers worldwide for research by the Satellite Industry Association.

Another study presented at the International Astronautical Congress last year in Mexico counted at least 29 “suppliers” in development. But the competition is not so great for the founder of the concern Rocket Lab and the chief technical director Peter Beck, who founded the company in 2006.

“We already have a lot of customers, and we haven't even flown yet,” Beck said. “I don’t worry about other shipping companies.” I think there is enough space for everyone. I am only worried about the fact that we can provide clients. ”

After three test flights, Rocket Lab intends to begin testing a declaration that will include flights for NASA, Planet, Spire and Moon Express, the last of which is looking for a launch vehicle to compete for $ 30 million Google Lunar XPrize.

The first Electron rocket arrived on the site on Wednesday, after a 9-hour journey from the company in Auckland. The headquarters of the Rocket Lab is located in Los Angeles.

A rocket with small satellites arrives at the first launch in New Zealand

Rocket Lab launch pad on the Mahiya Peninsula Peninsula, New Zealand. The first launch pad in New Zealand is located on the peninsula of Mahia Peninsula. This is a remote place with a small amount of air and sea transport. Isolation is the key to the missile flight goal once a week.

The two-stage rocket is powered by Rutherford 3D printer engines that burn a mixture of liquid oxygen and kerosene. Using the method of 3D printing allows you to simplify the production process and reduce costs.

Electron carries a load of up to 330 pounds into an orbit 311 miles above the Earth. The base price of the rocket is about $ 5 million.

A few months left before Electron's first start. The entire launch system, as well as tracking, security and communication, must be conducted online before launching.

Beck intends to rehearse everything and eliminate problems for three test flights, and then put commercial services on the conveyor at the end of this year.

A rocket with small satellites arrives at the first launch in New Zealand

Electron rocket on the launch complex.

Electron is not the only debutant of this year. The Japanese first experimental flight of the SS-520-4 rocket failed last month. Virgin Galactic, owned by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, plans to test its LauncherOne rocket this year. She is still under construction in Long Beach (California). The company is also testing a suborbital spacecraft for six passengers and two pilots in Mojave, California.

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