Rocket Lab Launches Sixth Successful Mission of ‘20

Rocket Lab USA Inc. has completed another mission sending a satellite into space aboard one of the New Zealand-founded company’s Electron launch vehicles, Elijah Chiland reports for the Los Angeles Business Journal. It was the 17th Electron flight and the sixth successful launch achieved by the company in 2020.

The rocket lifted off from Mahia Peninsula just after 11 p.m. local time on 15 December and deployed a satellite into orbit on behalf of Tokyo-based startup Synspective, which aims to build a constellation of more than 30 satellites in order to gather geographical data for urban planning and disaster response, the Journal reports.

“We’re proud to be able to continue to provide dedicated launch opportunities for small satellite customers like Synspective,” Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck said.

The company is slated to launch a satellite into lunar orbit on behalf of NASA in the year ahead.

Original article by Elijah Chiland, Los Angeles Business Journal, December 15, 2020.