Second Virginia Electron Mission Launch Window Announced
The second Virginia Electron mission will deliver two Earth observation satellites to low Earth orbit for Capella Space.
Rocket Lab announced Tuesday that the launch window will open on March 11 at 6:00 pm EST. The “Stronger Together” mission, scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) on Wallops Island, Virginia, will be Rocket Lab’s second electron mission launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility following from the Company’s successful inaugural mission from LC-2 on January 24, 2023.
“Stronger Together” will deploy two 100-kg (220 pound) class satellites to low Earth orbit and expand the existing Capella Space SAR constellation, increasing imaging capacity to meet growing customer demand. Capella Space SAR satellites can gather images of Earth any time of day, in any weather and penetrate conditions including clouds, fog, smog, darkness and smoke. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply Capella Space with two of the Company’s own Motorized Lightbands; separation systems designed to separate the Capella satellites from Electron once in orbit. Rocket Lab has launched for Capella previously with the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical” mission in August 2020, when Electron successfully deployed to orbit Capella’s first satellite in its SAR constellation.
Second Virginia Electron Mission is one of Five Scheduled for Capella Space
This second Virginia Electron mission is one of five missions for Capella Space scheduled to start launching on Electron this year, following the recently-announced multi-launch deal securing four rapid succession launches for Capella from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. However, there is the option for Capella to move any of these missions to Launch Complex 2 should that be needed to meet Capella’s requirements – the type of responsive and flexible launch solution that Rocket Lab can provide by operating three orbital launch pads across two continents.
Members of the public wanting to watch Electron’s upcoming launch from Virginia can visit nearby viewing locations in Accomack County, Virginia, such as Robert Reed Park and Curtis Merrit Harbor on Chincoteague Island. The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Atlantic beaches also provide good viewing locations.
(Source: Rocket Lab news release. Images provided and from file)