Rocket Lab’s test flight reaches orbit and deploys payloads

Rocket Lab has successfully reached orbit with the test flight of its second Electron orbital launch vehicle, Still Testing.

Electron lifted-off at 14:43 NZDT from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand.

Following successful first and second stage burns, Electron reached orbit and deployed customer payloads at 8 minutes and 31 seconds after liftoff.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era in commercial access to space. We're thrilled to reach this milestone so quickly after our first test launch," says Rocket Lab CEO and founder Peter Beck.

"Our incredibly dedicated and talented team have worked tirelessly to develop, build and launch Electron. I'm immensely proud of what they have achieved today.

"Reaching orbit on a second test flight is significant on its own, but successfully deploying customer payloads so early in a new rocket program is almost unprecedented," he says.

"Rocket Lab was founded on the principle of opening access to space to better understand our planet and improve life on it. Today we took a significant step towards that," Beck adds. 

Minister for Economic Development David Parker has welcomed the successful launch as another significant milestone in the development of a New Zealand space industry.

"This launch and Rocket Lab's presence in Auckland and on the East Coast demonstrates what New Zealand can offer for those involved in the space industry here and internationally."

"New Zealand is well positioned to support further development of the space industry.  We can provide a large range of launch angles, particularly for putting space objects into low earth orbit," Parker adds.

In the coming weeks, Rocket Lab engineers will analyse the data from today's launch to inform future launches.

Rocket Lab currently has five Electron vehicles in production, with the next launch expected to take place in early 2018.

At full production, Rocket Lab expects to launch more than 50 times a year and is regulated to launch up to 120 times a year, more than any other commercial or government launch provider in history.

Still Testing was carrying a Dove Pioneer Earth-imaging satellite for launch customer Planet, as well as two Lemur-2 satellites for weather and ship tracking company Spire.

Rocket Lab's commercial phase will see Electron fly already-signed customers including NASA, Spire, Planet, Moon Express and Spaceflight.