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Rocket Lab Successfully Reaches Orbit and Deploys Its First Satellites (geekwire.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the touching-the-sky dept.

Long-time Slashdot reader ClarkMills writes: Rocket Lab has successfully launched its second Electron rocket from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula, with the rocket reaching orbit for the first time... This follows the company's first launch last May, in which the rocket got to space but did not make it to orbit after range safety officials had to kill the flight.
Just 60 seconds before lift-off yesterday, a "rogue ship" entered their launch-range area, prompting them to postpone the launch until today. GeekWire reports: This mission was nicknamed "Still Testing," but unlike the first mission, the objective was not merely to test Rocket Lab's hardware. The rocket had the additional task of putting three nanosatellites in orbit: an Earth-imaging Dove satellite for Planet, and two Lemur-2 satellites that the Spire space venture would use for tracking ships and monitoring weather... The price tag for a mission is as low as $5 million, thanks to streamlined hardware production techniques. The Electron makes use of carbon composite materials for its rocket core, and 3-D printing techniques for its Rutherford rocket engines.
90 minutes ago Spire tweeted that they'd experienced a "good clean deployment" of their satellites, adding that they were already receiving images and calling it "a huge win" for commercial space, small satellites, the Electron rocket, and New Zealand.

UPDATE: Long-time Slashdot reader Hairy1 shares Rocket Lab's video of their launch.

16 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. Space Age by SuperKendall · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It seems to me, that we are at long last ACTUALLY entering the Space Age - a label given too prematurely.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:Space Age by arth1 · · Score: 2

      It seems to me, that we are at long last ACTUALLY entering the Space Age - a label given too prematurely.

      Personally, I don't think polluting Low Earth Orbit qualifies us for the Space Age. It's like saying we entered industrial age when someone first wove reeds or knapped flint.

      Once we have people living on Titan, or have a probe orbiting a different star, I think we're a bit closer. Neither will happen for quite a few generations yet.

    2. Re:Space Age by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Getting Low Earth Orbit is the hardest part of getting anywhere in the solar system. Until you can demonstrate you can do this, everything else is a waste.

    3. Re:Space Age by Kjella · · Score: 2

      It seems to me, that we are at long last ACTUALLY entering the Space Age - a label given too prematurely.

      Reaching orbit was - unlike many other arbitrary lines in the sand - a real breakthrough compared to crashing back to earth. And we went from that to landing on the Moon and sending the first probe to leave the solar system in 20 years (1957-1977), that's an amazing development over a short time that deserves its own "age". If you look at all the communication satellites, broadcast satellites, observation satellites, GPS system, ISS, deep space probes etc. we have in space I think it would be complete lunacy to claim that the "Space Age" starts now.

      Maybe this will be like a new age but then it should pick a new name, though honestly I'm not sure what's revolutionary so far. There's a new generation of rockets sure, but so far they're doing things we've already done like launch satellites into space or resupply the ISS. All the plans for the Moon, Mars etc. are still on the drawing board. And the Falcon 9s are technically not the first thing we've sent into space, landed and sent again - that honor belongs to the Space Shuttle despite its exorbitant refurbishment costs. There's a lot more promised for the future than what's reality today. When does the Space Colonization Age start?

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    4. Re:Space Age by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 2

      but it's immensely easier to toss stuff into LEO than it is to do most stuff in space.

      Well, no. In terms of deltaV, LEO is more than halfway to anywhere. LEO+40% is Terra Escape Speed. LEO doubled is pretty much Solar Escape Speed....

      --

      "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
  2. Congratulations to every one involved by banjonz · · Score: 4

    This makes me proud to be a kiwi.

    1. Re:Congratulations to every one involved by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      As an Aussie it pains me greatly to say it but bloody good job and congratulations you kiwi bastards!! ;)

    2. Re:Congratulations to every one involved by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Funny

      This makes me proud to be a kiwi.

      You should be proud. NZ looks like an awesome place. I saw a documentary that you guys have hobbits and elves and shit, and at least two wizards. That is so cool. You live anywhere near that big tower with the eyeball on it?

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    3. Re: Congratulations to every one involved by Hairy1 · · Score: 2

      Must be an Australian. They are not in the space club yet, and are probably jealous that we beat them. Again. This limp dick insult is the usual response by insecure betas to having their ass kicked by the Kiwis alphas.

    4. Re:Congratulations to every one involved by Pikoro · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh don't give them too much credit. All they had to do was cut it loose from the ground and it fell into space.

      --
      "Freedom in the USA is not the ability to do what you want. It is the ability to stop others from doing what THEY want"
  3. youtube video of launch by Sooner+Boomer · · Score: 2

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    --
    Chaos maximizes locally around me.
  4. Interesting fuel cycle by duinsel · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It is notable that their engine uses electrically powered pumps for fuel and oxidizer. Most rocket engines use turbo pumps that burn fuel to spin a turbine that is connected to these pumps, which require a respectable amount of power. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... Here, they use LiPo batteries to power DC electric pumps (2x 50hp), which reduced complexity and cost. I was quite surprised that this is a feasible approach.

    1. Re:Interesting fuel cycle by duinsel · · Score: 2

      Surprising in terms of power requirement.Numbers I read for turbopumps in rockets are 10's or 100's of MW. 50hp=0.04MW. The (admittedly larger) Saturn V F1 engine had 55.000 hp turbopumps (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocketdyne_F-1)

    2. Re:Interesting fuel cycle by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 2

      Power density is close, but H2O2 powered pumps still had them beat last time I calculated, but there's always more than one criteria (safety, complexity, cost, certification for example).

    3. Re:Interesting fuel cycle by chispito · · Score: 2

      It is notable that their engine uses electrically powered pumps for fuel and oxidizer. Most rocket engines use turbo pumps that burn fuel to spin a turbine that is connected to these pumps, which require a respectable amount of power. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... Here, they use LiPo batteries to power DC electric pumps (2x 50hp), which reduced complexity and cost. I was quite surprised that this is a feasible approach.

      I have a feeling it's only feasible at such a relatively small scale, compared to other orbital rocket engines. It probably saves a lot on cost and complexity.

      --
      The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
  5. Re:Second stage by Michael+Woodhams · · Score: 2

    This is 100% speculation:
    Their payload was much lighter than maximum capacity. Therefore they could afford a less than optimal ascent profile. Because this was primarily a test, they were keen on getting complete uninterrupted telemetry. Therefore they used an ascent profile which would keep the rocket in line of sight of the receiving dishes at launch site, from launch to at least stage 2 shutdown.

    --
    Quattuor res in hoc mundo sanctae sunt: libri, liberi, libertas et liberalitas.