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"We have lift-off," the company confirmed on Twitter at 7:34 pm on Sunday (0634 GMT).
The mission is the small satellite launch company’s second commercial flight and the first in partnership with US space agency NASA.
The launch is a significant moment for the industry, as it marks the first time NASA has booked a ride for its CubeSats on a commercial launch vehicle, Rocket Lab said in a statement.
Rocket Lab's 17-metre Electron rocket lifted off from the Mahia Peninsula in the Pacific country’s North Island, the world's first privately-owned orbital launch site,
The US company with facilities in New Zealand wants to remove barriers to commercial space by providing frequent launch opportunities, aiming for weekly launches for commercial clients. In comparison, 83 successful launches were made worldwide in 2017.
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket uses 3D-printed engines and is designed to send small payloads, such as imaging and communications satellites weighing up to 150 kilograms, into space.
A new production facility that was opened in Auckland in October is aiming to build, test and launch an Electron rocket every month in 2019 and every week by the end of 2020.
The mission is the small satellite launch company’s second commercial flight and the first in partnership with US space agency NASA.
The launch is a significant moment for the industry, as it marks the first time NASA has booked a ride for its CubeSats on a commercial launch vehicle, Rocket Lab said in a statement.
Rocket Lab's 17-metre Electron rocket lifted off from the Mahia Peninsula in the Pacific country’s North Island, the world's first privately-owned orbital launch site,
The US company with facilities in New Zealand wants to remove barriers to commercial space by providing frequent launch opportunities, aiming for weekly launches for commercial clients. In comparison, 83 successful launches were made worldwide in 2017.
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket uses 3D-printed engines and is designed to send small payloads, such as imaging and communications satellites weighing up to 150 kilograms, into space.
A new production facility that was opened in Auckland in October is aiming to build, test and launch an Electron rocket every month in 2019 and every week by the end of 2020.
