Rocket Lab is preparing to fly its 100th space mission, a milestone that would make it the first company to reach 100 launches of its Electron rocket. The flight is scheduled to lift off early on November 14 from the company's launch site on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula.
The mission will carry a synthetic aperture radar satellite built for iQPS, a Japanese satellite operator. Radar imaging satellites of this kind can observe the Earth regardless of cloud cover or darkness, which is why they are valued by customers who need dependable imagery in any weather. Electron is Rocket Lab's small orbital launch vehicle, designed to put modest payloads into orbit for commercial and government customers.
Rocket Lab plans to broadcast the liftoff live on its website and channels, giving viewers a chance to follow the countdown and ascent as they happen. The company has not yet confirmed the exact launch time, and weather conditions or technical checks could still move the window.
Reaching 100 flights is a notable marker for a launch vehicle that has grown from a small-satellite niche into a regular part of the commercial space market. The outcome of the November 14 attempt, including whether the satellite reaches its planned orbit, will be confirmed once the mission is underway.
Credit. Based on reporting by Mike Wall for Space.com. Is this your work? Write to us.