Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab returns Electron to flight with Space Force launch
Rocket Lab returned its Electron rocket to flight July 29 with the successful launch of an experimental satellite for the U.S. Space Force.
Rocket Lab identifies cause of Electron failure
Rocket Lab said July 19 that it has identified the cause of an Electron launch failure more than two months ago and that the vehicle is ready to return to flight.
Mars smallsat mission gets second chance with Rocket Lab
A NASA-funded smallsat mission to Mars that lost its ride last year may get new life through a partnership with Rocket Lab.
New Virginia spaceport head seeks to increase launch activity
The new head of Virginia’s commercial spaceport on Wallops Island says he wants to increase launch activity at the site, while acknowledging that there are limits as to how big it can grow.
Rocket Lab continues to study “complex” Electron failure
Rocket Lab said June 2 that it is continuing to study the “complex failure” on its most recent Electron launch, even after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to resume launches.
Rocket Lab says engine issue caused Electron failure
Rocket Lab said an Electron rocket failed to reach orbit May 15 when the vehicle’s computer system detected a problem with the second stage engine and shut it down.
Electron launch fails
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket failed to reach orbit May 15 when its second stage engine shut down seconds after ignition, the second launch failure in less than a year for the company.
Rocket Lab to make second booster recovery attempt
The next launch of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket will be the second mission where the company attempts to recover the vehicle’s first stage as part of its efforts to reuse the booster.
Study calls on U.S. to change how it buys space technology, reduce congestion in low orbits
The Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress released a new report May 4 calling on the U.S. government to accelerate the procurement of commercial space technologies and manage growing congestion in low-Earth orbit.
Space industry in midst of transformation following record private and public investments
The space market is at a watershed moment as private and public investments continue to surge.
SPAC rule changes add complexity and delays for space companies eying public markets
New accounting rules have thrown a wrench into a SPAC machine that has been catapulting space companies to the public markets.
BlackSky strikes deal with Rocket Lab to launch eight more satellites in 2021
BlackSky announced March 25 it signed an agreement with Rocket Lab to launch eight satellites before the end of 2021.
Can you still spell space without SPAC?
The SPAC boom has reshaped the space startup sector. Until recently, there was plenty of capital flowing into startups but few exits. SPACs offer, in some sense, the best of both options: an influx of capital associated with going public, but without the overhead of a traditional IPO.
Rocket Lab launches smallsat rideshare mission
Rocket Lab launched six smallsats for a variety of commercial and government customers March 22 on a mission also intended to demonstrate the performance of its own smallsat bus.
SpaceX bid on launch of NASA cubesat mission
A NASA competition to launch a cluster of cubesats attracted a bid from SpaceX, who appeared to offer a vehicle other than its current Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy.
