РН Electron от новозеландской Rocket Lab

[tnt22]

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/rocket-lab-completes-final-dress-rehearsal-at-launch-complex-2-ahead-of-first-electron-mission-from-u-s-soil/

Rocket Lab Completes Final Dress Rehearsal at Launch Complex 2 Ahead of First Electron Mission from U.S. Soil

Rocket Lab Completes Final Dress Rehearsal at Launch Complex 2 Ahead of First Electron Mission from U.S. Soil

All vehicle and pad system checkouts are now complete and Electron is ready for its first mission from Launch Complex 2, enabling a vital new space launch capability for the nation

WALLOPS ISLAND, Virginia. [17 September 2020] – Rocket Lab, a leading satellite manufacturer and launch provider, has successfully completed a wet dress rehearsal of the Electron vehicle at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Wallops Island, Virginia. With this major milestone complete, the Electron launch vehicle, launch team, and the LC-2 pad systems are now ready for Rocket Lab's first launch from U.S. soil. The mission is a dedicated launch for the United States Space Force in partnership with the Department of Defense's Space Test Program and the Space and Missile Systems Center's Small Launch and Targets Division.

The wet dress rehearsal is a crucial final exercise conducted by the launch team to ensure all systems and procedures are working perfectly ahead of launch day. The Electron launch vehicle was rolled out to the pad, raised vertical and filled with high grade kerosene and liquid oxygen to verify fueling procedures. The launch team then flowed through the integrated countdown to T-0 to carry out the same operations they will undertake on launch day. Before a launch window can be set, NASA is conducting the final development and certification of its Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) software for the mission. This flight will be the first time an AFTS has been has flown from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and represents a valuable new capability for the spaceport.

Launch Complex 2 supplements Rocket Lab's existing site, Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, from which 14 Electron missions have already launched. The two launch complexes combined can support more than 130 launch opportunities every year to deliver unmatched flexibility for rapid, responsive launch to support a resilient space architecture. Operating two launch complexes in diverse geographic locations provides an unrivalled level of redundancy and assures access to space regardless of disruption to any one launch site.

"Responsive launch is the key to resilience in space and this is what Launch Complex 2 enables," said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive. "All satellites are vulnerable, be it from accidental or deliberate actions. By operating a proven launch vehicle from two launch sites on opposite sides of the world, Rocket Lab delivers unmatched flexibility and responsiveness for the defense and national security community to quickly replace any disabled satellite. We're immensely proud to be delivering reliable and flexible launch capability to the U.S. Space Force and the wider defense community as space becomes an increasingly contested domain."

While the launch team carried out this week's wet dress rehearsal, construction is nearing completion on the Rocket Lab Integration and Control Facility (ICF) within the Wallops Research Park, adjacent to NASA Wallops Flight Facility Main Base. The ICF houses a launch control center, state-of-the-art payload integration facilities, and a vehicle integration department that enables the processing of multiple Electron vehicles to support multiple launches in rapid succession. The build has been carried out in just a few short months thanks to the tireless support of Virginia Space, Governor Northam, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, and Accomack County.

[tnt22]

 Rocket Lab @RocketLab 5 ч. назад

Construction is closing out on our LC-2 Integration and Control Facility (ICF) within the Wallops Research Park, adjacent to @NASA_Wallops Main Base. The ICF houses a launch control center, state-of-the-art payload integration facilities & vehicle integration department.




5 ч. назад

The build has been carried out in just a few short months thanks to the tireless support of Virginia Space, Governor Northam, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, NASA & Accomack County. Thanks for supporting us to deliver a new launch capability to the nation!

[tnt22]

 Rocket Lab @RocketLab 4 ч. назад

LOxed and loaded at Launch Complex 2. Check! 
(0:31)

[tnt22]

Trevor Mahlmann @TrevorMahlmann 6 ч. назад

Blue hour over @RocketLab's Launch Complex 2

[tnt22]

 Rocket Lab @RocketLab 1 ч. назад

The new pad at Launch Complex 1 is taking shape! The strongback & launch mount for LC-1B arrive soon to complete our 3rd pad. Operating 3 pads in 2 countries enables unmatched responsive launch capability, incl. the ability to launch multiple missions within hours of each other.

[tnt22]

 Peter Beck @Peter_J_Beck 1 ч. назад

Kick Stages are rolling off the production line. Every one is different to give full flexibility to each mission.

[tnt22]

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-launches-15th-mission-deploys-satellites-for-planet-canon-electronics-inc/

Rocket Lab Successfully Launches 15th Mission, Deploys Satellites for Planet, Canon Electronics Inc.



Mahia, New Zealand. 29 October 2020 – Rocket Lab, a space systems company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has successfully launched its 15^th Electron mission and deployed Earth-imaging satellites for Planet and Spaceflight Inc. customer Canon Electronics. The mission was Rocket Lab's fifth for this year, making Electron the second-most frequently flown U.S. launch vehicle in 2020.

The 'In Focus' mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula at 21:21 UTC, 28 October 2020. The Electron launch vehicle successfully deployed ten commercial small satellites to a 500km circular orbit, bringing the total number of payloads deployed by Rocket Lab to 65.

The payloads on 'In Focus' included the latest flock of Planet's Earth-imaging SuperDove small satellites, each integrated with and deployed from Rocket Lab's Maxwell satellite dispensers. Flock 4e' bolsters Planet's constellation of Earth-observation satellites already on orbit providing medium-resolution global coverage and near-daily revisit. Canon Electronic's mission objective with their CE-SAT-IIB microsatellite is to demonstrate the company's Earth-imaging capability with a middle-size telescope equipped with an ultra-high sensitivity camera to take night images of the Earth and small size telescopes suitable for CubeSat use.

"Congratulations to Planet on the addition of their latest SuperDoves to their constellation and to the team at Canon Electronics on the deployment of their latest tech demonstration satellite," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. "Electron has once again delivered a smooth ride to orbit and precise deployment for our individual rideshare customers. Continuing to launch in the face of global disruption and adversity, while at the same time becoming the second-most frequently flown U.S. launch vehicle this year, is the latest display our dedication in providing ongoing, easy access to space for our customers.

Details about the customers onboard Rocket Lab's 16^th Electron launch will be announced shortly, with the next mission scheduled to take place from Launch Complex 1 in the coming weeks.

ENDS

[tnt22]

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/rocket-lab-demonstrates-flexible-in-space-transportation-with-new-kick-stage-maneuver/

Rocket Lab demonstrates flexible in-space transportation with new Kick Stage maneuver

Rocket Lab demonstrates flexible in-space transportation with new Kick Stage maneuver

Rocket Lab's Kick Stage successfully completed plane change in orbit for the first time, further demonstrating the Kick Stage's ability to enable custom orbits for small sats

This week Rocket Lab demonstrated an advanced capability of its Kick Stage acting as a space tug during the company's 15^th launch, the 'In Focus' mission that launched satellites for Planet and Canon on October 28^th UTC.

Shortly after deploying ten customer satellites to orbit, the Kick Stage's Curie engine reignited to maneuver the stage to a new inclination. While Rocket Lab has previously demonstrated orbit-raising maneuvers, this mission was the first time Kick Stage performed an inclination change, a capability increasingly sought by small satellites that require custom and unique orbits even when flying as part of a rideshare. The now flight-proven capability enables more flexibility for small satellite operators and opens up a wider range of inclinations achievable from Rocket Lab's two launch sites, Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand and Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, USA.

The mission was the latest demonstration of the Kick Stage's in-space transportation capabilities, which span deploying satellites to precise orbits as well as orbit raising or lowering, inclination changes, and de-orbit capability. Each of these capabilities have now been demonstrated in-flight across 15 Electron missions. The Kick Stage can also fly on other launch vehicles to deliver standalone in-space transportation as a tug.

"Small satellites have long needed a way to bridge the gap between being dropped off in space by the launch vehicle and that last home stretch to reach the target orbit. The Kick Stage delivers that flexibility, providing in-space transportation to get satellites exactly where they need to go, every time, whether flying on Electron or another vehicle," says Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck.

[tnt22]

Road To Reusability

Rocket Lab

5 нояб. 2020 г.

Rocket Lab will attempt to recover the first stage of its Electron rocket during its next mission, the 'Return to Sender' launch, scheduled for lift-off in mid-November. The test will see Rocket Lab attempt to bring Electron's first stage back to Earth under a parachute system for a controlled water landing before collection by a recovery vessel.

The mission will be the first time Rocket Lab has attempted to recover a stage after launch and is a major milestone in Rocket Lab's pursuit to make Electron a reusable rocket to support an increased launch cadence for small satellite missions.

youtu.be/7xGktkbXBpw

(3:20)

[Василий Ратников]

Интересно что новозеландцы доказывают прям сейчас, буквально сегодня что космос ближе чем кажется ) и небольшой стартап может.
В том числе пытаться ответь на актуальные для многих вопросы:
1) куда ронять первую ступень если рядом нет океана. например Украине.
2) можно ли сделать многоразовую легкую ракету.
3) есть спрос на небольшие ракеты.

но комментов нету ) не интересно.



из бонусов можно отметить что у инженеров есть уникальная возможность изучить первую ступень РН после полного цикла вывода.

[Василий Ратников]

Разбегающиеся животные, надо полагать овцы это невыносимо прекрастное зрелище.

ни тебе полка охраны, ни бтров сопровождающих вывоз, ни зоны отчуждения - стой кто идет стрелять буду.
вот так должна выглядеть коммерческая космонавтика.
купил клок земли, построил пусковую, пускаешь.

[nonconvex]

Интересно что новозеландцы доказывают прям сейчас, буквально сегодня что космос ближе чем кажется ) и небольшой стартап может.
В том числе пытаться ответь на актуальные для многих вопросы:
1) куда ронять первую ступень если рядом нет океана. например Украине.
2) можно ли сделать многоразовую легкую ракету.

Интересно что не так давно группа энтузиастов здесь закатив глаза орала что только Маск, что впервые и что гениальный прорыв. А тут какие то студенты!

[tnt22]

https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/rocket-lab-launches-16th-mission-completes-booster-recovery/

Rocket Lab Launches 16th Mission, Completes Booster Recovery

Rocket Lab Launches 16^th Mission, Completes Booster Recovery

Mahia, New Zealand. 20 November 2020 – Rocket Lab, a space systems company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has successfully launched its 16^th Electron mission and deployed 30 small satellites to orbit – the largest number of satellites deployed by Electron to date on a single mission.

The 'Return to Sender' mission also saw Rocket Lab complete a successful splashdown and recovery of the first stage of an Electron launch vehicle for the first time, bringing the stage back to Earth under a parachute after launch. The recovery of a stage is a major milestone in Rocket Lab's pursuit to make Electron a reusable rocket to increase launch frequency and reduce launch costs for small satellites.

Approximately two and a half minutes after lift-off, at an altitude of around 80 km, Electron's first and second stages separated per standard mission procedure. Once the engines shut down on Electron's first stage, a reaction control system re-oriented the stage 180-degrees to place it on an ideal angle for re-entry, enabling it to survive the incredible heat and pressure known as "The Wall" during its descent back to Earth. A drogue parachute was deployed to increase drag and to stabilize the first stage as it descended, before a large main parachute was deployed in the final kilometers of descent. The stage splashed down as planned. Rocket Lab's recovery team will transport the stage back to Rocket Lab's production complex, where engineers will inspect the stage to gather data that will inform future recovery missions.

"What the team achieved today in recovering Electron's first stage is no mean feat. It took a monumental effort from many teams across Rocket Lab, and it's exciting to see that work pay off in a major step towards making Electron a reusable rocket," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck.

The 'Return to Sender' mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula at 15:20 NZT, 20 November 2020, deploying satellites for TriSept, Swam Technologies, Unseenlabs, and the Auckland Programme for Space Systems at The University of Auckland. The mission brings the total number of satellites launched by Rocket Lab to 95. Among the payloads deployed were satellites designed to test new methods of deorbiting space debris, enable internet from space, and build upon a maritime surveillance constellation. The mission also saw New Zealand's first student-built payload deployed to orbit, the APSS-1 satellite which is designed to monitor electrical activity in Earth's upper atmosphere to test whether ionospheric disturbances might be linked to earthquakes. Rocket Lab sponsored the project by providing the launch at no cost to the University of Auckland.

Joining the satellites for the ride to orbit was a mass simulator shaped like a garden gnome, launched to space in support of Starship Children's Hospital. Manufactured by award-winning design studio Weta Workshop for Valve's Gabe Newell, Gnome Chompski is a 150 mm, 3D printed titanium gnome created as a nod to an achievement in the game Half-Life 2 that sees players carry a gnome through the came before depositing him in a rocket to be launched to space. While watching Gnome Chompski get launched to space for real was a spectacle enjoyed by gamers worldwide, Mr. Chompski also served an important R&D function by allowing Rocket Lab to test and qualify novel 3D printing techniques that could be employed for future spacecraft components. Gnome Chompski's time in space is limited though, as he remains attached to Electron's Kick Stage and will de-orbit with it when the stage burns up on re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere. For every person who watched the launch webcast, Mr. Newell donated a dollar to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Starship Children's Hospital.

"It's a privilege to once again provide access to orbit for our returning customers Unseenlabs, Swarm Technologies, and TriSept, and to deploy a satellite for the University of Auckland for the very first time," said Mr Beck. "Thank you to our incredible customers, and to the tireless team behind Electron who delivered mission success once again."

[Василий Ратников]

Мысли RocketLab о многоразовости и планах.

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1330917380889980929

вкратце говорит много работы, много изучать, твердо уверен что смогут, надеется в следующем году получить многоразовость.

[vissarion]

Мысли RocketLab о многоразовости и планах.

Из интересного:

• Речь идёт только о многоразовости 1 ступени
• Скорость снижения при входе в воду была 9 м/с
• На изготовление одного Электрона затрачивается от 18 до 30 дней
• Доработки по многоразовости будут пытаться втиснуть в 25 кг, причём большая часть из них будут оставаться даже в заведомо одноразовых полётах для единообразия/технологичности
• Из океана вылавливать невесело и опасно - волны 5 м
• Вертолёт и так и так уже есть - используется для доставки персонала на старт
• Вертолёт с корабля для подхвата и РН будут взлетать одновременно

[cross-track]

• Вертолёт и так и так уже есть - используется для доставки персонала на старт
• Вертолёт с корабля для подхвата и РН будут взлетать одновременно

Маск сеткой на корабле ловит обтекатели реже, чем через раз. Посмотрим, будет ли успешнее вертолетная ловля.

[Raul]

Подумал вот о чем - если у Rocket Lab них получится с многоразовостью первой ступени, то следующим этапом мы увидим запуск триблока с возвратом двух боковых ускорителей. И довольно приличную ПН.

[Василий Ратников]

то следующим этапом мы увидим запуск триблока с возвратом двух боковых ускорителей.

это вряд ли.

у них проблема с масштабированием из за электрического привода НА.
но батарейки растут над собой, так что возможно со временем можно будет сделать РН в 1.5 раза мощнее.

[Alex-DX]

но батарейки растут над собой

А если подойти комплексно?

В место батареек водородные топливные элементы, и сам РН перевести на водород.

[Дмитрий В.]

Подумал вот о чем - если у Rocket Lab них получится с многоразовостью первой ступени, то следующим этапом мы увидим запуск триблока с возвратом двух боковых ускорителей. И довольно приличную ПН.

А оно им надо?