After a several week stand-down due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Rocket Lab launched its 12th Electron mission to date\u2014a rideshare mission with payloads from NASA, the NRO, and the University of New South Wales. Following a weather scrub earlier in the week, the mission launched from Rocket Lab\u2019s Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand on Saturday (local time \u2013 05:12 UTC).<\/p>\n
This mission is named \u201cDon\u2019t Stop Me Now,\u201d according to Rocket Lab, \u201cin recognition of Rocket Lab board member and avid Queen fan Scott Smith, who recently passed away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Payload Overview<\/b><\/p>\n
Once in orbit, Electron will deploy five payloads: ANDESITE, the M2 Pathfinder, and three satellites belonging to the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.<\/p>\n
ANDESITE (which stands for Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors) was developed by Boston University.<\/p>\n
The satellite itself will deploy eight \u201cpico-satellites\u201d designed to resolve current densities at varying spatial resolutions in the near-Earth magnetosphere using measurements from Anisotropic Resistance Magnetometers, and relay information back to the central satellite. It is flying as part of NASA\u2019s Educational Launch of Nanosatellites, or ELaNa program.<\/p>\n
M2 Pathfinder is a collaboration between the University of New South Wales and the Australian Government. The mission will test communications architecture and other technologies, including the ability of an onboard software-based radio to operate and reconfigure while in orbit.<\/p>\n
Timeline<\/b><\/p>\n
On May 7, Rocket Lab successfully conducted a wet dress rehearsal ahead of launch. During this process, the rocket is filled with fuel, simulating a normal countdown right up until engine ignition.<\/p>\n
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