"Daughter Of The Stars": IOD-1, IOD-2 – Electron/Kick Stage (fl 85) – Mahia LC-1A (NZ) – 28.03.2026 09:14 UTC

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2033303355288899902

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
This is what regular and reliable access to space looks like.
We're running two launch campaigns from LC-1 this weekend with back-to-back launches only days apart.
First up: "Eight Days A Week" for @synspective will add another StriX satellite to their Earth observation constellation. Launch: NET March 20 NZDT.

Next: "The Daughter Of The Stars" for @esa will be the first launch for a new European satnav system called LEO-PNT. Launch: NET March 24 NZDT.
 

[zandr]

https://rocketlabcorp.com/missions/launches/daughter-of-the-stars/

Daughter Of The Stars

Mission Name  Daughter Of The Stars
Vehicle              Electron
Launch Date     NET March 24, 2026
Launch Time     TBC
Launch Site       Launch Complex 1
Payload             IOD-1 & IOD-2
Orbit                 510km LEO

Rocket Lab will launch a dedicated Electron mission for the European Space Agency (ESA) for the first time, to deploy the first pair of satellites for a future European navigation mission in low Earth orbit named 'Celeste'.
Rocket Lab will launch two 'Celeste' IOD spacecraft for ESA, provided by European satellite prime contractors Thales Alenia Space and GMV, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 no earlier than March 24, 2026.
The spacecraft will be deployed to a 510km low Earth orbit as part of a mission to test a new approach of providing location, direction, and timing services from satellites in low orbit – otherwise called LEO-PNT (Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation, and Timing). ESA's Celeste demonstration mission will assess how a low Earth orbit fleet of satellites can work in combination with the Galileo and EGNOS constellations in higher orbits that provide Europe's own global navigation system.

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2034018162870735227

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
T-6 days to launch for "Daughter Of The Stars" - Electron's 85th launch and first time flying a dedicated mission for the European Space Agency @esa.
Integration and encapsulation is now complete, with ESA's 2x satellites secured to Electron inside its nose cone and ready for launch.
 

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2034756169273942472

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Satellites integrated and encapsulation complete for our upcoming launch for the European Space Agency @esa. The "Celeste" IOD-1 & IOD-2 satellites will test next-gen satnav technologies in LEO that support ESA's current Galileo system in higher orbit.
   

[zandr]

https://x.com/Exolaunch/status/2034622929313382404

Exolaunch  @Exolaunch
🇪🇺 We're proud to announce our next launch with @esa: Celeste  Exolaunch is set to deploy IOD-1 and IOD-2 into orbit aboard @RocketLab's Electron rocket, with liftoff scheduled for NET March 24 from New Zealand.
 
: Rocket Lab

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Can't stop won't stop. With Electron's 84th launch complete, we're already gearing up for our next launch from LC-1: a dedicated mission for the European Space Agency @esa to begin a new European navigation service from space called LEO-PNT.
"Daughter Of The Stars" is now scheduled for launch on 10:14pm/10:14 am NZT/CET on March 25.

09:14 UTC

[zandr]

https://x.com/esa/status/2036110322013003912

European Space Agency  @esa
#WatchLive: Join us on 25 March as the first two Celeste LEO‑PNT satellites lift off on Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from New Zealand.
 Live coverage starts at 09:53 CET on http://watch.esa.int and ESA YouTube.
http://esa.int/Applications/Satellite_navigation/Watch_live_First_Celeste_launch

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2036193586950328578

Rocket Lab@RocketLab
Wet Dress Rehearsal complete and we are GO for launch with our dedicated mission for the European Space Agency @esa on March 25.
Window opens from:
 10:00 pm NZT
 10:00 am CET
 09:00 UTC
 5:00 am ET
 2:00 am PT

Проведена пробная заправка.

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
It's launch day again! It's almost time to launch Electron for the European Space Agency @esa and deliver their first two Celeste satellites to orbit for a new LEO-PNT European satnav network.
Target lift-off March 25:
 10:37 pm NZT
 10:37 am CET
 09:37 UTC
 5:37 am ET
 2:37 am PT

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Mission details for today's launch:
Mission Name: 'Daughter Of The Stars'
 Customer:  European Space Agency
 Payload: 2x satnav tech demonstration satellites, IOD-1 & IOD-2
 Orbit: 510km LEO
 Launch Site: LC-1, Pad A
6th launch of 2026

[zandr]

https://x.com/Dillonshrop06/status/2036619883811578184

Dillon Shropshire  @Dillonshrop06
Hazard Map for Daughter Of The Stars
https://bit.ly/4rgm0q4     
NET March 25 0914 UTC
 

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPHoduedWyA

Rocket Lab - 'Daughter Of The Stars' Launch
  Rocket Lab

Начало трансляции 12:15 мск.

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2036715577289412736

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Current weather conditions over LC-1 violate cloud and lightning commit criteria for launch, so we're standing down from today's Electron mission for @esa.
A weather system is passing through the region in the coming days, so our next target launch date will be set once that passes. Back soon under clearer skies.

Пуск отложен.
Облака и молнии...
Будут ждать чистого неба.

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7890/

Daughter Of The Stars
Liftoff Time (UTC)
09:14:00
Saturday March 28, 2026

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR1en0oGPRs

Rocket Lab - 'Daughter Of The Stars' Launch
  Rocket Lab

Начало трансляции 11:50 мск.

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2037641401551520197

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Ready for launch! The countdown is on for Electron's dedicated mission for the European Space Agency @esa to deploy their first two Celeste satellites for a new LEO-PNT European satnav network.
Target lift-off March 28:
 10:14 pm NZT
 10:14 am CET
 09:14 UTC
 5:14 am ET
 2:14 am PT
·
Mission details for today's launch:
Mission Name: 'Daughter Of The Stars'
 Customer:  European Space Agency
 Payload: 2x satnav tech demonstration satellites, IOD-1 & IOD-2
 Orbit: 510km LEO
 Launch Site: LC-1, Pad A