Rocket Lab is approaching its weekly launch target with its 13th trade mission, dubbed "Pics Or It Didn't Happen", which, hopefully, will take off only three weeks after the last.
"Don't stop me now" was successfully launched into the weekend on June 13, and the next one is scheduled for July 3 - weather and other factors permitting.
"Rocket Lab has eliminated the small sitting waiting room for orbit. We have focused on building our rapid launch capability in recent years and are proud to put this into practice for the small satellite community with launches a few days apart, "said the founder and CEO of the company, Peter Beck, in a press release.
"Pics" will transport three different payloads from the "carpooling" customers:
- Canon CE-SAT-1B to provide orbital images and test microsatellite platform for mass production
- Five of Planet's new SuperDove Earth observation satellites (Flock 4V) to join hundreds of orbit colleagues
- In-Space Missions Faraday-1 cubes will demonstrate the viability of its platform for startups looking to get their software into orbit quickly
New Electron rockets are built every 18 days, but that doesn't mean they can be launched as quickly, although there is definitely enough demand. It takes a lot more to get into orbit than just holding a rocket at the end and hitting a big red button.
This three-week gap can be very short, but it should be noted that the launch last weekend was originally scheduled to take off months ago but was suspended due to the pandemic, then delayed again due to weather conditions. . So, even if this short delay is remarkable, it is not yet entirely sustainable. However, Rocket Lab plans monthly missions until 2021 and the rate should only increase as the new launch facility based in the United States goes online.