Rocketlab

[ZeroID]

Launch window opens tomorrow ( Sat ) and although the weather looks pretty damp further up north they are saying a launch tomorrow is quite likely.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11978105

I've got the T-Shirt .. I'll be wearing it ... :D

[ZeroID]

SUCCESS... absolutely.
Perfect lift off at about 14:40 with video feed off the rocket all the way to orbital insertion and payload delivery.. :thumbsup: :D
Incredible to watch live .... :P

[Merlin66]

No launch video available????

[deanm]

This is just the launch (not staging, fairing drop, orbit insertion or payload release)
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/lift-off-watch-rocket-lab-successfully-launch-their-electron

[deanm]

NZ is now a space-faring nation!
(They could probably export a few to North Korea...!)

[ZeroID]

Watched it live, video from 6 min countdown for ground based then on the rocket all the way to payload separation. Absolutely stunning. I guess it will get posted eventually for replay.
Incredible to watch the second stage ~5 min burn on the Rutherford engine, Glowing red bell and receding view of the Mahia Peninsula.

Video link for those who missed it.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/21/video-rocket-lab-achieves-orbit-on-historic-launch-from-new-zealand/

[pmrid]

It's still a thrilling experience to watch a rocket hurled into space, with all the sounds and drama associated with it. And of course, all credit to the NZ and US people behind the whole Electron project.

This observation, though, nags at me. What the devil has Australia been doing the past decades. We seem to have been doing a Rumpelstiltskin imitation with this. Goodness knows we have the sites with great launch potential. We have equally clever people. We just don't seem to have the last bit of push to get us into what seems to me to be a line between being a nation with a space future and one doomed to be forever holding onto the coat-tails of others.

Peter

[PCH]

We have an economy very close to that of Russia and only 25 million peeps to look after. Surely you'd think there'd be a few quid spare to be able to afford projects like this.

[LewisM]

Siven, Sux, Five....

Onya Bros!

[FlashDrive]

See here also .... I can download this and watch it on the Big Screen.... so can you if you want .... impressive.

Watch the 1st Video .... brilliant...!!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rocket+lab+lau nch+live

Col....