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Safran + Terran Orbital sign MoU to produce electric propulsion systems for satellites in the U.S. — TIME magazine names the latter to their Most Influential Companies list

Safran Electronics & Defense and Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) to study and validate the prerequisites for production of a new generation of electric propulsion systems for satellites in the United States, based on Safran’s PPSX00 plasma thruster.

Safran Electronics & Defense, via Safran Spacecraft Propulsion, and Terran Orbital, will initiate an in-depth analysis to determine the technical, industrial and economic prerequisites for a new U.S.-based production line for electric propulsion systems. The location under consideration is a Terran Orbital facility in Irvine, California, which produces smallsats.

In addition to providing the American space industry with a local source of satellite thrusters, contributing to the economy and employment, this new line will match Safran’s production facilities in France, eventually doubling the company’s international production capacity.

Developing effective and sustainable propulsion systems for satellites is a critical challenge worldwide, as increasingly stringent international regulations stipulate greater sustainability and resilience in spacecraft. A higher degree of spacecraft maneuverability is needed to avoid collisions, along with a system to deorbit LEO satellites at the end of their service life.

Safran’s PPSX00 plasma thrusters, rated at about one kilowatt of power, will be used to meet the burgeoning mobility requirements of LEO satellites.

“Our alliance with Terran Orbital will contribute to the emergence of a complementary source of supply for electric propulsion systems to meet the growing needs of the space industry.” — Jean-Marie Bétermier, Senior Vice President Space at Safran Electronics & Defense

“This deal reflects Safran Electronics & Defense’s faith in the value of Terran Orbital’s industry-leading products and innovative personnel, while adding to our strategic investments to create more scalable, automated, vertically integrated production systems. Terran Orbital looks forward to working with Safran Electronics & Defense to create top-of-the-line propulsion systems that make spacecraft more resilient and maneuverable at faster delivery rates and lower costs for our national security and commercial customers.” — Marc Bell, Terran Orbital’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Additionally, Time magazine last week named Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, honoring the satellite manufacturer and services provider and other firms for their “extraordinary impact around the world.”

Time recognized companies based on their “impact, innovation, ambition, and success,” with Terran Orbital spotlighted for its design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and in-orbit support for military, civil, and commercial satellite customers.

The magazine solicited company nominations from outside experts and the magazine’s global network of contributors and correspondents to spotlight “a diverse group of 100 businesses helping chart an essential path forward” for humanity.

Time’s recognition comes as Terran Orbital marks its 10th anniversary and a string of successes serving the aerospace and defense industries. Recent accomplishments include developing and co-operating the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE).

“Terran Orbital is thrilled Time magazine is recognizing us for producing cost-effective, cutting-edge satellites in an influential companies list that includes pioneers, industry leaders, innovators, disruptors, and tech titans from around the globe. Terran Orbital is honored to join the ranks of a TIME100 Most Influential Companies list that has included the likes of Apple, Amazon, Google-parent Alphabet, Disney, Microsoft, Moderna, Ford, and the NFL.” — Marc Bell, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, Terran Orbital

Apex raises million$$ in Series A funding + the customers for the 1st Aries satellite bus

Apex, the Los Angeles-based spacecraft mass manufacturing company, announced its Series A fundraising round and customers flying on its first Aries satellite bus.

Apex’s $16 million Series A funding round, which brings the company’s total funding to more than $27 million, was led by venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Shield Capital. Apex will use the additional funding to open a new, 50,000 sq. ft. production facility in Los Angeles that will be dedicated to serial bus manufacturing. This investment and the new factory will allow the company to expand its production rate and further reduce lead times for its customers.

Apex builds productized satellite buses, starting with their flagship Aries platform, a 100 kg. bus capable of supporting up to 100 kg. of payload mass. Apex buses are manufactured at scale and can be configured with different performance packages, enabling Apex customers to leverage the benefits of serial production for varied mission needs.

Apex also announced the list of customers flying on its first Aries satellite bus, set to launch on SpaceX’s Transporter 10 in Q1 2024. The satellite will host missions for three customers. Orbit Fab, Ubotica, and a Tier-1 Defense Contractor are all flying as payloads on Apex’s first mission, named “Call to Adventure.. All three payloads will inhabit the same satellite bus, running a set of missions that include proximity operations, edge computation, and communications.

This multi-customer, hosted payload mission will be a one-off, unique arrangement for Apex’s first launch, allowing Apex to validate the Aries platform while meeting the needs of its customers. Typically, Apex buses are delivered for dedicated customer use either for single-spacecraft missions or constellations. Apex is under contract to deliver multiple buses to customers in 2024, following this inaugural mission.

“We are thrilled our first mission will enable a major defense prime as well as two commercial companies to get their payloads into orbit. As we serve the needs of both government and commercial entities, we could not imagine a better pairing of investors in this latest capital infusion than our two co-leads, the number one venture firm in Silicon Valley and the top government-focused venture firm.” — Ian Cinnamon, Chief Executive Officer, Apex.

“We are excited to build Factory One, our new production facility for scaled manufacturing of satellite buses. Factory One will be our first major investment in the infrastructure to build tens, and eventually hundreds, of satellites per year.” — Max Benassi, Chief Technology Officer, Apex

The executive team, Ian Cinnamon and Max Benassi, lean on their extensive experience across aerospace, dual use, and deep technology companies to bring their vision of Apex to life. Ian, Apex’s CEO, previously led his venture-backed company Synapse through its growth and acquisition by Palantir. CTO Max previously scaled aerospace manufacturing at SpaceX before operating as Director of Engineering at Astra.

Rocket Lab to launch multiple satellites as part of an upcoming recovery mission

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has announced that the company’s next Electron mission will deploy seven satellites to space and will include an attempt to recover the rocket’s booster after launch.

The ‘Baby Come Back’ mission, Rocket Lab’s 39th Electron launch, is scheduled to deploy from Pad A at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand during a launch window that opens on July 14, 2023, UTC.

Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New Zealand.

Rocket Lab is also planning to conduct a marine recovery of Electron’s first stage as part of this mission. 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 ‘Baby Come Back’ mission is a rideshare mission and will carry satellites for multiple customers.

Payloads aboard the ‘Baby Come Back’ mission include…

  • NASA
    NASA’s Starling mission is a four CubeSat mission designed to test technologies to enable future “swarm” missions. Spacecraft swarms refer to multiple spacecraft autonomously coordinating their activities to achieve certain goals. Starling will demonstrate technologies for in-space network communications, onboard relative navigation between spacecraft, autonomous maneuver planning and execution, and distributed spacecraft autonomy — an experiment for small spacecraft to autonomously react to observations, paving the way for future science missions.
  • Space Flight Laboratory (SFL)
    Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) selected Rocket Lab to launch Telesat’s LEO 3 demonstration satellite that will provide continuity for customer and ecosystem vendor testing campaigns following the decommissioning of Telesat’s Phase 1 LEO satellite.
  • Spire Global
    Spire will launch two 3U satellites carrying Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) payloads to replenish its fully deployed constellation of more than 100 multipurpose satellites. Spire’s satellites observe the Earth in real time using radio frequency technology. The data acquired by Spire’s GNSS-RO payloads provide global weather intelligence that can be assimilated into weather models to improve the accuracy of forecasts. Spire is the largest producer of GNSS-RO weather data, collecting over 20,000 RO profiles a day.

“This mission demonstrates Rocket Lab’s ability to provide responsive space capabilities on accelerated timelines by making access to space possible for customers when they run into roadblocks. Electron is the world’s most reliable small launch vehicle and is demonstrating it can deliver customer’s payloads on their schedule.” — Peter Beck, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Lab

Beyond Gravity wins contract for Ariane 6 to shape the next generation of European launch vehicles

Beyond Gravity announces they will help shape the next generation of European launch vehicles: For the new Ariane 6 rocket, this global supplier for the space industry will provide the payload fairings. Just recently, the company, which has produced the payload fairings for all missions since Ariane’s first flight in 1979, successfully delivered the last structures from Emmen (Switzerland) for its predecessor, Ariane 5.

André Wall, CEO of Beyond Gravity said, “We are proud to have been a close partner to ArianeGroup for decades and to continue our joint success story also for the next generation of launch vehicles. Over the years, Beyond Gravity has manufactured more than 250 payload fairings for the Ariane launcher rockets and was instrumental in the development of the new payload fairing for Ariane 6.”

“This contract with Beyond Gravity is a new and key step towards a strong Ariane 6 European team” said Stephane Nogatchewsky, EVP Head of Procurement, ArianeGroup. “While the inaugural flight of Ariane 6 is getting closer and the industrial ramp up is intensifying, this collaboration is a positive and critical milestone for the future of Ariane 6 operations. Also, unifying European actors is paramount to ensure further A6 industrial robustness, competitiveness and preserve European autonomous access to space.”

The two variants of the Beyond Gravity Payload Fairing offer two different sizes and consist of two half-shells that separate once they reach orbit. Accounting for one third of a launch vehicle’s total length and rising to the height of a six-story building, the 20 meters high larger variant (A64) safeguards the valuable cargo on its voyage to space. The smaller version is 14 meters high. Both versions have a 5.4-meter diameter, ensuring ample room for a variety of payloads. Thanks to the advanced carbon fiber composite design, the structure weighs only 1.8 to 2.6 tons and is therefore featherweight and stable at the same time.

“Rooted in a legacy of incremental innovation, our payload fairings are a testament to the strength, efficiency, and progressive ingenuity we continue to nurture at Beyond Gravity,” states Paul Horstink, Executive Vice President. “Our payload fairings stand as a formidable structure today, but we’re not stopping there. Especially with the commercial market in mind, we are driving future innovations, such as further shortening lead times or exploring possibilities in reusability to redefine the boundaries of space exploration.”

In technical terminology, the rocket tops are called “payload fairings”. Their main task is to protect the satellites from high temperatures, solar radiation, dust, moisture or rain at the launch site before launch. In the first minutes of flight, it is primarily the noise, the enormous frictional heat and the mechanical stresses from which the payload fairings reliably protect the satellites encapsulated beneath them. In a semi-automated process, Beyond Gravity manufactures each half-shell in one piece from carbon fiber composite material that is “cured” in an industrial oven without the use of an autoclave. This reduces costs and speeds up production.

Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics 3rd Mission Extension Pod sold to Intelsat

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) SpaceLogistics has sold its third Mission Extension Pod (MEP), a propulsion “jet pack” that extends the life of legacy satellites, allowing them to operate longer and more profitably.

Under a purchase agreement with Intelsat, SpaceLogistics’ Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), a servicing spacecraft equipped with robotic arms, will install the jet pack on an Intelsat communications satellite in GEO to extend its life by at least six years. This capability builds on a long-standing relationship between SpaceLogistics and Intelsat that includes the world’s only commercial satellite-servicing missions in GEO.

Both MRV and MEP have completed their critical design reviews and are proceeding through build, integration and testing ahead of a planned launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 in early 2025. Once on-orbit, the MRV will provide a persistent, robotic servicing capability in GEO that paves the way for missions that include satellite inspection, relocation and repair. By attaching specialty tools to the ends of its robotic arms, the MRV will be able to adapt to emerging mission needs.

“SpaceLogistics is building upon our proven in-space servicing capabilities to offer revenue continuity, enhanced resiliency and sustained maneuver for commercial and government satellite operators with our MEPs. This sale completes the launch manifest for our first tranche of MEPs and underscores the demand for our services. SpaceLogistics will continue to deliver future MEPs to extend the life of client satellites while making space sustainable for all.” — Rob Hauge, President, SpaceLogistics

“Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics continues to develop key technologies as demand grows for in-space servicing for future missions and architectures across commercial, civil and national security space. Our space-servicing system helps satellite operators activate new markets, drive asset value and protect their franchises.” — Rob Fleming, Vice President and General Manager, Strategic Space Systems, Northrop Grumman

SpaceLogistics is a global leader in the development and deployment of on-orbit satellite servicing systems and the first and only company performing on-orbit servicing for geosynchronous satellites. The planned fleet of service vehicles will extend operational life, upgrade capabilities and enable future missions for a variety of customers.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 95,000 employees define possible every day.

Space Systems Command’s statement as it launches National Reconnaissance Office mission aboard United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy rocket

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifts off from 
Space Launch Complex-37 at 5:18 a.m. ET, June. 22, 2023. Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance

Space Systems Command (SSC) and its U.S. Space Force mission partners successfully launched a classified payload into Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket for the National Reconnaissance Office today at 5:18 a.m. Eastern (2:18 a.m. Pacific) from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37B at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, on the central coast of Florida. 

“We had another successful launch for the NRO today. The payload we’ve put into space today adds to the unique capability the NRO provides to keep us safe and out in front of the pacing challenges posed by our Nation’s competitors,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, program executive officer for SSC’s Assured Access to Space. “Our national security launches are truly a next-level activity, with pre-launch handling, testing and flight performance requirements that highly require detail-oriented planning and great care. Today’s team, comprised of the NRO, United States Space Force and United Launch Alliance did an immense amount of work behind the scenes to ensure these specialized national assets get to orbit properly and safely.”

There is one Delta IV Heavy remaining to launch for the Space Force, in 2024. By then, the Delta vehicle will have launched the NRO’s heaviest satellites for more than a decade and a half. Following retirement next year, it will be superseded by ULA’s Vulcan, which will lift the next generation of national security and commercial satellites into space with its own innovations. 

Upon its retirement in 2024, the Delta IV Heavy lift will have placed over 20+ National Security satellites into operations that have provided our leaders and warfighters vital data used to protect our nation and allies.

The history of the Delta family of launch vehicles date back to the late 1950s with the first launch of a Thor Delta in August of 1960.  From there, in response to ever changing mission needs, the Delta evolved from an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) system into an extremely capable and versatile launch platform.  This process expanded the Delta’s payload capability from a meager 100 lbs. delivered to an orbit of 115 miles above Earth to a massive 62,550 lbs. (28,370 kg) to low Earth orbit (LEO) or 30,450 lbs. (13,810 kg) to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Historical lineage of the Delta family of launch vehicles, from the Thor IRBM (developed by Space Systems Command’s predecessor, the Western Development Division in the 1950s) to Delta IV Heavy. (Courtesy graphic)

Over the Delta family’s 60+ years of launch heritage, there have been 12 Thor Delta (DM-19) launches, 43 launches of the three-stage A, B, C, D and E configurations, and 27 launches of the two-stage G, J, L, M, and N configurations. Next came the Delta I with 102 launches, followed by the prolific Delta II with the most launches of any Delta configuration at 152. That was followed by the Delta III with three launches. Finally, the Delta IV completed 29 launches of the Medium configuration, from 2002 to 2019 (25 NSSL, three NASA, and one commercial), and 15 launches of the Delta Heavy, including NROL-68.

These various Delta vehicles have launched numerous payloads including military, government, and commercial weather, communications, and science satellites, robotic probes for exploration, eight Mars rovers, and one telescope, all of which have significantly contributed to our understanding of our planet, solar system, and universe beyond. With only one Delta IV Heavy launch planned for 2024, the Space Force nears the end of the long and overwhelmingly successful Delta era.

Assured Access to Space acquires and executes launch services for the USSF, National Reconnaissance Office, and other agencies to reliably deliver on-orbit capabilities to the warfighter.  AATS also conducts range operations at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, for DoD test missions and for military, intelligence, civil, and commercial launches. AATS is executing transformative range and spaceport initiatives to meet unprecedented launch demands.  AATS also leverages industry’s on-orbit servicing, maneuver, and debris removal innovations as it leads USSF Space Access, Mobility and Logistics mission areas. AATS’s 10,000 plus Guardians, Airmen, civilians, and contractor workforce are dedicated to mission success and assured access to space for our nation, partners, and allies. 

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in and from space. SSC manages a $15 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.

UPDATE 3: A diamond in the night as ULA’s Delta IV Heavy launches NRO’s NROL-68 mission

UPDATE 3:

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off on June 22 at 5:18 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. To date, ULA has launched 156 times with 100 percent mission success. 

ULA’s statement: “We continue to build on our valued partnership with the NRO and are grateful for their trust and collaboration as we work to precisely deliver critical national security capabilities to orbit,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “This mission marks the 11th Delta IV Heavy for the NRO and the penultimate launch of the nation’s proven heavy lift vehicle.” 

The final Delta IV Heavy will launch in 2024 as ULA transitions its future missions from the East and West Coasts to the next generation Vulcan rocket.

All photos by ULA

Leveraging a legacy of 100 percent mission success launching more than 155 missions to explore, protect and enhance our world, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider with world-leading reliability, schedule confidence, and mission optimization. We deliver value unmatched by any launch services company in the industry, a tireless drive to improve, and commitment to the extraordinary. 

UPDATE 2: Weather has proven to be another obstacle to overcome… now the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch with the NROL-68 mission is scheduled for 5:10 a.m. EDT on June 22nd, rather than the earlier 3:25 a.m. EDT. The launch broadcast will now start at 4:50 a.m. EDT.

UPDATE: Florida, June 21, 2023) – The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office is delayed due to an issue with a ground systems pneumatic valve. 

The launch is now planned for Thursday, June 22 at 3:25 a.m. EDT.

UPDATE: L-1 Launch Forecast Summary:

  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 25%
  • Primary concerns: Anvil Cloud Rules, Cumulus Cloud Rule, Ground Winds
  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 20% 
  • Primary concern: Anvil Cloud Rules, Ground Winds

From cream puffs to rockets a scientist follows his dreams

NRO statement: When the United States needs eyes and ears in critical places where no human can reach — be it over the most rugged terrain or through the most hostile territory — it turns to the NRO. The NRO is the Intelligence Community agency responsible for developing, acquiring, launching and operating America’s reconnais­sance satellites, as well as operating associ­ated data processing facilities in support of national security.

The NRO uses a variety of satellites to meet mission needs, from small sats to more tradi­tional, larger satellites. This allows the NRO to pursue a hybrid architecture designed to pro­vide global coverage against a wide range of intelligence requirements, carry out research and development efforts, and assist emergen­cy and disaster relief efforts in the U.S. and around the world. The NRO never loses focus on who they are working to protect: our nation and its citizens.

Launch Weather Officer Mark Burger, from the 45th Weather Squadron, says there is a 75 percent chance of favorable conditions for the launch opportunity.

“An unsettled weather pattern is likely to remain in place through at least the middle of the week, characterized by above normal opportunities for showers and thunderstorms each day, with somewhat lesser storm coverage today and perhaps Monday compared to recent days,” the launch weather team says.

United Launch Alliance R/S RocketShip Offload: Delta IV Heavy
Stages of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket for NROL-68 are offloaded from the R/S RocketShip at Port Canaveral, Florida. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

“While the highest threat for storms will target the afternoon and evening hours, there is an elevated risk that some storms and associated clouds may persist into the overnight hours as a series of upper-level disturbances interact with a developing surface boundary across northern Florida. A subtle shift in this boundary and the flow aloft appears to unfold during the latter portions of the week, leading to somewhat more favorable overnight launch weather.

“Given these considerations, a high threat for showers and storms exists during evening MST rollback operations, with the potential for remnant anvil and cumulus clouds persisting later into the night.”

The launch forecast includes a scattered low- and broken mid-level clouds, good visibility, southwesterly winds variable 12 to 17 knots and a temperature near 75 degrees F.

SpaceX briskly moves 47 Starlink satellites to orbit

SpaceX successfully launched 47 Starlink satellites to orbit on Thursday, June 22nd., aboard a Falcon 9 launch from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 and two Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship that was stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) to launch from Kourou

Launch service provider Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) has signed a binding term sheet with the French space agency CNES to offer the company’s launch services from the Kourou Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana — RFA will launch from the ELM-Diamant launch complex in 2025.

RFA will be able to offer customers all inclinations from equatorial to polar. This expands RFA’s portfolio of orbits available to customers to include low inclination orbits such as GTO, MEO, GEO, lunar and even interplanetary mission profiles. As a result, even more flexible and precise servicing of all types of missions for Earth observation, connectivity, or even entire constellations are possible. As part of CNES’ open tender process to open the Kourou Space Center (CSG) to commercial launch service providers, RFA ONE will launch from CSG starting in 2025.

In addition to the successful completion of the first European upper stage test of its kind in May 2023, RFA secured the ELM-Diamant launch complex. With this second launch pad from RFA, the company will be able to deliver all mission profiles for ESA and its member states as institutional customers.

Until now, the launch pad in Kourou has only been used by CNES for its Diamant rocket in the 1970s. Now the launch complex is to be given a new purpose, in the tradition of opening access to space through innovative and groundbreaking ventures. As such, RFA is one of the first NewSpace companies to be given the opportunity to use it. The new launch pad will be upgraded and equipped in the coming years with the aim of being used for launches from 2025.

“By securing a launch site at the Diamant launch complex, this agreement allows RFA to offer GTO, MEO, GEO and even lunar and interplanetary flight profiles to its customers. By launching from Kourou, the European Spaceport, we can serve ESA and its member states as institutional customers for any mission profile they desire. Together with our successful upper stage hot fire test – a first in Europe – we have once again confirmed our technical and commercial leadership position in Europe. Just before the final launch of Ariane 5, this collaboration is a clear commitment to the future of European spaceflight from Kourou. We are very proud to launch from the historic Diamant launch site, where European spaceflight began its long and successful history. We look forward to continuing it.” — Jörn Spurmann, Chief Commercial Officer at RFA

“CNES is proud to sign this agreement with RFA, which confirms RFA’s decision to launch from the ELM Diamond site at CSG’s European Spaceport. We look forward to working with RFA to further develop launch activities in Kourou. This is an important step for European spaceflight.” — Dr. Paolo Baiocco, senior project manager for micro-mini launchers at CNES

Rocket Lab’s first successful suborbital HASTE rocket launch for confidential customer operated under Rocket Lab’s National Security subsidiary

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) a global provider of launch services and space systems, has successfully launched its first suborbital testbed launch vehicle, called HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) for a confidential customer.

The inaugural launch took place on June 17 at 21:24 Eastern local time (June 18, 01:24 UTC) from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 at Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

The HASTE suborbital launch vehicle is derived from the Company’s Electron rocket but has a modified Kick Stage for hypersonic payload deployment, a larger payload capacity of up to 700 kg / 1,540 lbs, and options for tailored fairings to accommodate larger payloads, including air-breathing, ballistic re-entry, boost-glide, and space-based applications payloads. By leveraging the heritage of Rocket Lab’s low-cost Electron — the world’s most frequently launched commercial small launch vehicle — HASTE offers true commercial testing capability at a fraction of the cost of current full-scale tests.

“The success of this mission demonstrates collaboration across government and industry partners to change the paradigm in hypersonic testing,” said Brian Rogers, Senior Director – Global Launch Services. “HASTE enables the frequent, affordable flight testing needed to advance the nation’s hypersonic technology development, and we’re proud to be delivering this vital capability. We thank our mission partners for entrusting us with this inaugural mission and look forward to continuing our partnership into the future.”

HASTE will be primarily operated under Rocket Lab National Security (RLNS), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary created to serve the unique needs of the U.S. defense and intelligence community and its allies. Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is the launch site for HASTE.