The Beat Goes On with Next Rocket Lab Launch

The next Rocket Lab launch from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand … "The Beat Goes On" … will be a dedicated Electron launch to deploy two BlackSky satellites. The launch window for The Beat Goes On opens on March 22.

"Counting down to another mission just six days after a successful launch from LC-2 in Virginia is no mean feat and testament to our team’s experience and dedication to delivering response launch.”

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck.

The Beat Goes On will launch two of BlackSky’s Gen-2 Earth-imaging satellites to a circular 450KM (280 mile) orbit, bringing the total number of satellites in BlackSky’s constellation to 16. The launch will extend the total number of satellites delivered to orbit by Electron rockets to 159.

“We’re proud to continue playing a key role in building out BlackSky’s growing constellation. We’ve now delivered 9 satellites to orbit for BlackSky since our first launch for them in 2019 and we’re grateful to have been entrusted with their mission once again," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. "Counting down to another mission just six days after a successful launch from LC-2 in Virginia is no mean feat and testament to our team’s experience and dedication to delivering response launch.”

Secondary Mission for The Beat Goes On

As a secondary mission, Rocket Lab plans to recover Electron’s first stage after it parachutes back to Earth and splashes down in the ocean. Rocket Lab’s recovery team will retrieve Electron using a customized vessel and transport the stage back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for analysis. Data from this recovered stage will inform Rocket Lab’s ongoing recovery and reuse program.

The pair of high-resolution, multi-spectral, Gen-2 satellites to be launched on Electron will expand BlackSky’s network in space and its offering of real-time geospatial intelligence and monitoring services. BlackSky combines high-resolution images captured by its constellation of microsatellites with its proprietary artificial intelligence software to deliver analytics and insights to industries including transportation, infrastructure, land use, defense, supply chain management, and humanitarian aid.

Just last week, Rocket Lab successfully conducted an Electron launch for Capella Space from Wallops Island, VA.

(Source: Rocket Lab news release. Images provided and from file)