"The reality is, responsive space is just what we do" - @Peter_J_Beck
Our global launch capability with Electron.
Confirmed: Electron is on its way to Virginia for first launch at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 this year.
What's better than one upcoming launch at LC-2? How about our second Electron launch from Virginia scheduled for lift-off just weeks later:
Because we know you'll ask about Electron reusability...
Next up: our Space Systems business.
Our Space Systems business in a nutshell.
With the acquisitions we've made over the past 18 months, we've strengthened our systems offering across satellite components, mission software, separation systems, and space solar power.
"We're out there amongst some of the most challenging missions in space today" - Brad Clevenger, Rocket Lab VP - Space Systems.
With our spacecraft Photon, we're supporting big science in a small package.
Photon's big moment this year was supporting the @NASA CAPSTONE mission to the Moon. Here's what we achieved in the two-year program to deliver that first mission in NASA's Artemis program.
Since we went to the Moon with Photon, it'd be rude not to go farther.
From science missions to operational constellations using Photon.
A run through our space systems products supporting missions across civil, commercial, and defense sectors. First up: reaction wheels.
Our flight software commanding missions in space.
Separation systems providing a smooth and secure ride to space for satellites.
Solar cells powering missions in Earth orbit and beyond, even on other planets.
It's been a big year in space systems.
And now, what you've all been waiting for - our update on Neutron.
"The toughest bit is getting through the design phase, into the moulds, and producing hardware. But we've made it, we're there now - real hardware coming off real machines" - Peter Beck.
Neutron's had a makeover.
A slightly less hungry hippo fairing.
"If we were going to do something, this is what it'd look like" - Peter Beck.
How we're building the Archimedes engines to power Neutron.
One for the rocket engine fans among us.
Neutron is coming to Mississippi! We’re thrilled to announce we’ve selected @NASAStennis as the test site for our reusable Archimedes engines to power Neutron to LEO, GEO, and beyond. Read more bwnews.pr/3BCRHlw
Details about our move to Mississippi and @NASAStennis
"The art of what's possible" - Shaun D'Mello, VP - Launch Systems reveals our vision for Neutron's launch and landing pad in Virginia.
From program start to hardware in less than 18 months - our Neutron program is well on-track. Here are some key upcoming milestones in the next 12 months.
Now on to our finance and business strategies from our CFO Adam Spice, taking us through what we said we'd do and what we've gone on to achieve since our @Nasdaq debut.
Electron continues to go from strength to strength.
Neutron will be a key part of our company growth.
Building on space systems to offer an end-to-end full mission solution for satellite operators, whether they want only bits and pieces or the full spacecraft and command support.
We've wrapped with the presentations for Investor Day. Again, we will make a recording of today's event available on our website later today.
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And we're on track to reach 50 faster than any other commercially developed rocket.
So what’s changed since our very first Electron launch in 2017?
Time for a stroll down memory lane 🧵
Today Electron has three pads – two at LC-1 in NZ and one at @NASA_Wallops in Virginia. But it all started with a single pad in Mahia where we built the world’s first orbital launch site.
It had everything we needed for those first few launches, but LC-1 was sparse in the early days. Since then we’ve added two 100K class payload processing cleanrooms for dual satellite processing, added an additional launch pad, expanded the Range Control Center, added a Customer Launch Viewing Lounge and generally streamlined facilities and operations.
Things are a bit roomier in range control these days
Lift-off for #WeLoveTheNightlife, carrying the next generation Acadia SAR satellite for @CapellaSpace.
Electron has cleared Max-Q.
Main engine cut-off and separation of Electron’s stages confirmed. The Rutherford engine on Electron’s second stage has ignited and the mission continues to orbit. Meanwhile, Electron’s first stage will soon begin its descent to Earth.
2021 has been a massive year for the Rocket Lab team building and launching rockets and spacecraft that continue to open access to space. Let's recap ✅
2021 saw Electron deliver its 109th satellite to orbit and remain the 2nd most-frequently launched U.S. rocket annually. Which mission this year was your favorite?
There and back again: we recovered not one, but two Electron boosters after launches in 2021 in our mission to make Electron the world's first reusable small rocket. Next year: helicopter catch for the first time 🚁🚀
Our #AnotherOneLeavesTheCrust mission might have seemed straightforward, but the Kick Stage actually pulled some complex orbital maneuvers and performed the longest Curie engine burn to date. Learn more: bit.ly/3qUKkil
After separating from Electron, the Kick Stage’s Curie engine performed 2 separate burns - one to raise @OHB_SE’s satellite to a 1,200 km circular orbit, and a 2nd burn to lower the Kick Stage’s perigee after payload deployment, speeding up the Kick Stage’s de-orbit process.
Across the two maneuvers, Curie completed more than 267 seconds of total burn time (more than twice a standard mission!) and delivered more than 1,700 km of perigee change, ascending 982 km and descending 740 km.
We just made in-space transportation even easier. After deploying 10 sats to perfect orbits for our customers on the #InFocus mission, the Kick Stage had one more trick up its sleeve. For the first time, we demonstrated a plane change maneuver.
The ability to change orbital inclinations means more flexibility for our customers, enabling them to position each and every satellite juuuuuust right. It also opens up an even wider range of missions possible from LC-1 and LC-2.
It’s just the latest capability demo from the Kick Stage. Across 15 missions, the Kick Stage has demonstrated orbit raising & lowering, constellation deployment, engine re-lights, inclination changes, hosted payload support & de-orbit capability.
Rocket Lab has been granted a Launch Operator License by @FAANews for Electron missions from LC-2! This is a major step toward the first Electron launches from U.S. soil.
Our new #FAA Launch Operator License allows for multiple launches from LC-2 for the next 5 years without needing a new launch-specific license for every mission.
Simplified licensing enables streamlined access to space for U.S. government small sats. Across our 3 launch pads, Rocket Lab can support up to 130 launch opportunities every year.