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Rocket Lab tests an Electron rocket at its secondary launch site in Virginia.
Rocket Lab has taken another step toward its first launch from the ground of the United States, moving an Electron rocket to its newly completed launch pad in Wallops, Virginia.
The Kiwi-founded company has said it intends to continue making most of its launches from New Zealand, but developed the US launch site. USA To support clients who needed to do it from there.
Rocket Lab plans to launch its first rocket from the US USA Sometime from July.
The mission will be conducted for the United States Space Force and the United States Department of Defense Space Testing Program.
On board will be a single small satellite designed to determine the ability of small satellites to withstand “large aperture payloads to monitor space weather.”
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Most of the details of the mission were initially revealed in December, when it was characterized as a US Air Force mission. USA And it was expected to take place in the second quarter of this year.
The United States Space Force was controversially established as an independent branch of the United States Armed Forces by President Trump in December with a report to “organize, train, and equip space forces to protect American and allied interests.” .
Several of the satellites that Rocket Lab has previously launched from New Zealand have had US defense connections and have also launched a satellite for the Mexican military.
Rocket Lab decided to build a launch pad in Virginia in 2018, but founder Peter Beck has said he will continue to make the majority of his launches from the Māhia Peninsula near Gisborne.
That location allows you to use Earth’s spin to send rockets into space over the Pacific with minimal disruption to air traffic and shipping routes.
Rocket Lab announced in December that it was starting work to double the size of its Māhia launch site, building a second platform to allow it to increase the frequency of launches from there.
However, a launch from Māhia scheduled for March for the US National Reconnaissance Office. USA She had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus blockage.
