Launch Schedule Change Announced by Rocket Lab
Launch Schedule Change Announced by Rocket Lab
Capella Space Asks for More Time to Prepare for Mission
The ‘A Sky Full Of SARs’ mission scheduled by Rocket Lab for Capella Space has been pushed back indefinitely, according to the company.
When it does launch, the mission will deploy Capella’s Acadia-3 SAR satellite, a synthetic aperture radar satellite for Earth imagery and observation, to a mid-inclination 615 km (≈382 mile) circular orbit to add to Capella’s existing SAR satellite constellation in low Earth orbit.
The delay was made at the request of Capella Space. The company said that more time is needed to complete additional testing for their mission.
With rockets at the ready, the company says it will be moving to its next mission in the manifest with Synspective, now flying next on Electron within the next few weeks.
The company says that this type of tailored launch service demonstrates the value and market demand for dedicated small launches. Flying dedicated means customers have flexibility over their launch schedule so that their satellites aren’t left behind if they miss a launch deadline, like on traditional rideshare missions.