Rocket Lab Launches Experimental Satellite for DARPA

[Hamartia Antidote]

3D printed rocket engine using electron beam melting takes off

https://www.space.com/rocket-lab-launch-experimental-satellite-darpa.html

Rocket Lab's first launch of 2019 is in the books.

A Rocket Lab Electron booster lifts off from New Zealand on March 28, 2019, carrying the R3D2 satellite to orbit for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Rocket Lab's first launch of 2019 is in the books.

The spaceflight startup's Electron rocket rose off a pad on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula today (March 28) at 7:27 p.m. EDT (2327 GMT; 12:27 p.m. local New Zealand time on March 29).

About 53 minutes after liftoff, the booster delivered to orbit the 330-lb. (150 kilograms) Radio Frequency Risk Reduction Deployment Demonstration (R3D2) spacecraft, an experimental satellite that will be operated by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The R3D2 mission "intends to space-qualify a prototype reflect array antenna to improve radio communications in small spacecraft," Rocket Lab representatives wrote in a mission description, which you can find here.

"The R3D2 antenna, made of a tissue-thin Kapton membrane, packs tightly inside the small satellite for stowage during launch, before deploying to its full size of 2.25 meters [7.4 feet] in diameter once it reaches low-Earth orbit," they added.

R3D2 was originally scheduled to launch in late February. But the liftoff was pushed to March 24 to give its builder, aerospace company Northrop Grumman, more time to complete tests and checks, a DARPA spokesperson said at the time. An issue with a video transmitter on the Electron and some bad weather then pushed the liftoff back further, until today.

Today's launch was Rocket Lab's first since December, when an Electron lofted 13 tiny cubesats for NASA, and the company's fourth overall. That tally will grow quickly, if things go according to plan: Rocket Lab wants to fly a dozen times in 2019, company CEO Peter Beck said earlier this year.

Further ramp-ups will likely follow. California-based Rocket Lab aims to greatly increase access to space with the 57-foot-tall (17 m) Electron, which can loft about 500 lbs. (227 kg) on each $5 million liftoff.

Not all of those missions will originate from New Zealand. Rocket Lab is building a second launch site, known as Launch Complex-2 (LC-2), at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia. The first liftoff from LC-2 is scheduled to take place this fall.

 

[gangsta_rap]

@Hamartia Antidote why them whiteys shootin up them rockets up and above gain?

aint no honkeys got nothin better to do?

come down to the hood in flint yo open up the tap taste the water crackas got them priorities messed

 

[Fenrir]

That's unexpected? But I guess it's an indicator that DARPA is funding Rocket Lab... right? They're an unproven company til now, with only a handful of launches and no major successes to show. That DARPA is interested in such a small and young company shows a vested interest in growing their capabilities and relationship.

Here's the video for the 28 March launch.

Their Electron rocket is a real nifty piece of kit, being 3D printed an all. Would love to see some launched out of Andøya.

Always nice to have another player in the commercial space game!

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

@Hamartia Antidote why them whiteys shootin up them rockets up and above gain?

aint no honkeys got nothin better to do?

come down to the hood in flint yo open up the tap taste the water crackas got them priorities messed

Well GIANTsasquatch you just made my banned list.

That's unexpected? But I guess it's an indicator that DARPA is funding Rocket Lab... right? They're an unproven company til now, with only a handful of launches and no major successes to show. That DARPA is interested in such a small and young company shows a vested interest in growing their capabilities and relationship.

Here's the video for the 28 March launch.

Their Electron rocket is a real nifty piece of kit, being 3D printed an all. Would love to see some launched out of Andøya.

Always nice to have another player in the commercial space game!

Yep!

Hey when are you going to be a mod again.

 

[patero]

@Hamartia Antidote why them whiteys shootin up them rockets up and above gain?

aint no honkeys got nothin better to do?

come down to the hood in flint yo open up the tap taste the water crackas got them priorities messed

I speak jive, I can translate.

'Golly, why are those darn people sending rockets up into the sky'?

'Do they not have anything better to do'?

'Kindly visit my neighborhood in Flint, Michigan, and share some bottled mineral water. We can exchange philosophies, I question whether this rocket program should be a priority'.

 

[gangsta_rap]

'Kindly visit my neighborhood in Flint, Michigan, and share some bottled mineral water. We can exchange philosophies, I question whether this rocket program should be a priority'.

You got that part kinda wrong actually.

I was referring to the Flint water crisis in michigan near detroit. Basically white american republicans changed the tap water supply to the river to save $$$$. This resulted in high lead concentrations and the tap water to turn into literal poison...and all of this happened in predominantly black neighborhoods.

I do this kind of trash talking to remind hamarita about his low key racism. It's all out of good intention.

 

[patero]

You got that part kinda wrong actually.

I was referring to the Flint water crisis in michigan near detroit. Basically white american republicans changed the tap water supply to the river to save $$$$. This resulted in high lead concentrations and the tap water to turn into literal poison...and all of this happened in predominantly black neighborhoods.

I do this kind of trash talking to remind hamarita about his low key racism. It's all out of good intention.

I was trying to do like that scene from airplane:

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

I speak jive, I can translate.

'Golly, why are those darn people sending rockets up into the sky'?

'Do they not have anything better to do'?

'Kindly visit my neighborhood in Flint, Michigan, and share some bottled mineral water. We can exchange philosophies, I question whether this rocket program should be a priority'.

It was amusing the first few times he did it...but it's now like the 50th time..enough is enough..he's worn it out...it's just getting stupid.