Located at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, the new launch pad will enable Rocket Lab to double its launch cadence.
Rocket Lab has commissioned its second orbital launch pad at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, with its first commercial launch scheduled to lift off within days.
This is the company’s third dedicated pad for its Electron rocket, with the other located at Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, USA.
Launch Complex 1 Pad B will support the upcoming launch of an Electron mission for Japanese Earth-imaging company Synspective. Lift-off is scheduled for no earlier than February 28 UTC / March 1 NZT.
“A reliable launch vehicle is only one part of the puzzle to unlocking space access — operating multiple launch sites so we can launch when and where our customers need to is another crucial factor,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck.
More than 50 local construction workers and contractors were involved in the development of Launch Complex 1 Pad B, which includes a 66-tonne launch platform and 7.6-tonne strongback customised to the Electron launch vehicle.
Stay up to date by getting stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Sign up to receive our free weekly Spatial Source newsletter.
