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kyburgfor-all-mankind:
Rocket Lab nearing completion of New Zealand-based launch site.
Rocket Lab, a private US company in the small satellite business, is nearing completion of their launch pad in New Zealand. The California-based firm plans to launch their 52-foot Electron rocket from the site on New Zealand’s Eastern Mahia Pinensula.Weighing at more than 50 tons, the launch mount and strongback were installed in late July, and were the last majors structures added at the site. Construction began in early December, 2015. Electron will launch payloads weighing up to 350 pounds into orbits as high as 310 miles. When it enters service, Rocket Lab will be the first commercial company to operate their own launch site and launch range. Since other commercial companies launch from government launch sites, they do not operate their own range.Rocket Lab is one of many new companies funded in recent years to offer cheaper, quicker access to space for small satellites. Launch Complex 39C was built at Kennedy Space Center to cater to this growing demand, and can be rented out to companies like Rocket Lab.P/c: Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site seen under construction shortly before the launch mount was added. The Electron rocket’s assembly hangar can be seen with a concrete roadway leading to where the pad is.
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Rocket Lab nearing completion of New Zealand-based launch site.
Rocket Lab, a private US company in the small satellite business, is nearing completion of their launch pad in New Zealand. The California-based firm plans to launch their 52-foot Electron rocket from the site on New Zealand’s Eastern Mahia Pinensula.Weighing at more than 50 tons, the launch mount and strongback were installed in late July, and were the last majors structures added at the site. Construction began in early December, 2015. Electron will launch payloads weighing up to 350 pounds into orbits as high as 310 miles. When it enters service, Rocket Lab will be the first commercial company to operate their own launch site and launch range. Since other commercial companies launch from government launch sites, they do not operate their own range.Rocket Lab is one of many new companies funded in recent years to offer cheaper, quicker access to space for small satellites. Launch Complex 39C was built at Kennedy Space Center to cater to this growing demand, and can be rented out to companies like Rocket Lab.P/c: Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site seen under construction shortly before the launch mount was added. The Electron rocket’s assembly hangar can be seen with a concrete roadway leading to where the pad is.
from Tumblr http://ift.tt/2bMWx6w
via IFTTT
