Electron | Don't Be Such A Square (STP-S30) launch

Rocket LabLaunch SuccessfulTechnology

Don't Be Such A Square

Name: Electron | Don't Be Such A Square (STP-S30)
Start: 2025-12-18T05:03:00Z
Location: Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C), Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA

Electron · STP-S30

Launched Thu, Dec 18 · 5:03 AM UTC2025-12-18 05:03 UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C), Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA

Reached orbit

Follow Rocket Lab in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+9:19 and released the payload at T+55:30.

Worldwide

312th

orbital launch attempt in 2025

Rocket Lab

20th

launch this year

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C)

4th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

29 d 16 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: Rocket Lab - 'Don't Be Such A Square' Launch

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 5:03 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown2

T−2:005:01 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:025:02 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (2 steps)

T−2:005:01 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:025:02 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent8

T+0:005:03 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:115:04 AMVehicle is supersonic
T+1:145:04 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:405:05 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:445:05 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:475:05 AMStart of the second engine
T+3:415:06 AMSeparation of the payload fairing
T+6:405:09 AMElectron Second stages switches to a new set of batteries and jettisons the depleted ones.

Second Stage and Payload5

T+9:195:12 AMCut-off of the second engine
T+9:235:12 AMSeparation of the kick stage from the previous stage
T+53:445:56 AMStart of the kick stage engine
T+55:305:58 AMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+55:305:58 AMCut-off of the kick stage engine

Mission

STP-S30 is a complex mission that will deliver research experiments and technology demonstrations to orbit for the DoD and contribute to future space systems development. The projected primary payload, DISKSat, will demonstrate sustained very low earth orbit (VLEO) flight and test a unique, 1-meter diameter, disk-shaped satellite bus that is designed to increase on-orbit persistence.

Launch Provider

Rocket Lab

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2006 · CEO Peter Beck

Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.

Launches

Successful

96%

Landings

of 9

Upcoming

scheduled

FliesElectron

All Rocket Lab launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Dec 18 · 4:27 PM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 6:14 AM
All 4 spacecraft has separated.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 5:03 AM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 4:50 AM
Tweaked T-0 and weather forecast.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 2:13 AM
Updated launch weather, 70% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Dec 16 · 11:06 PM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 10 · 10:07 PM
GO for launch (launch window is per https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=63362.msg2742010#msg2742010).
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 3 · 9:10 PM
Moved back to NET December with appearance of possible marine navigation warnings NET December 18; to be confirmed as for this launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 25 · 9:57 PM
NET December 8.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 11 · 12:12 PM
NET late 2025.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 9 · 5:14 AM
Added launch
hitura-nobad

Electron

Vehicle history

Height

18m

Diameter

1.2m

To low Earth orbit

300kg

Liftoff thrust

162kN

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

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Rocket LabLaunch SuccessfulTechnology

Don't Be Such A Square

Electron · STP-S30

Launched Thu, Dec 18 · 5:03 AM UTC2025-12-18 05:03 UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C), Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA

Reached orbit

Follow Rocket Lab in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+9:19 and released the payload at T+55:30.

Worldwide

312th

orbital launch attempt in 2025

Rocket Lab

20th

launch this year

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C)

4th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

29 d 16 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: Rocket Lab - 'Don't Be Such A Square' Launch

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 5:03 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown2

T−2:005:01 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:025:02 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (2 steps)

T−2:005:01 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:025:02 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent8

T+0:005:03 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:115:04 AMVehicle is supersonic
T+1:145:04 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:405:05 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:445:05 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:475:05 AMStart of the second engine
T+3:415:06 AMSeparation of the payload fairing
T+6:405:09 AMElectron Second stages switches to a new set of batteries and jettisons the depleted ones.

Second Stage and Payload5

T+9:195:12 AMCut-off of the second engine
T+9:235:12 AMSeparation of the kick stage from the previous stage
T+53:445:56 AMStart of the kick stage engine
T+55:305:58 AMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket
T+55:305:58 AMCut-off of the kick stage engine

Mission

Launch Provider

Rocket Lab

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2006 · CEO Peter Beck

Launches

Successful

96%

Landings

of 9

Upcoming

scheduled

FliesElectron

All Rocket Lab launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Dec 18 · 4:27 PM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 6:14 AM
All 4 spacecraft has separated.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 5:03 AM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 4:50 AM
Tweaked T-0 and weather forecast.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 18 · 2:13 AM
Updated launch weather, 70% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Dec 16 · 11:06 PM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 10 · 10:07 PM
GO for launch (launch window is per https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=63362.msg2742010#msg2742010).
Cosmic_Penguin
Dec 3 · 9:10 PM
Moved back to NET December with appearance of possible marine navigation warnings NET December 18; to be confirmed as for this launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 25 · 9:57 PM
NET December 8.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 11 · 12:12 PM
NET late 2025.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 9 · 5:14 AM
Added launch
hitura-nobad

Electron

Vehicle history

Height

18m

Diameter

1.2m

To low Earth orbit

300kg

Liftoff thrust

162kN

Next From Wallops Flight Facility

Wallops Flight Facility schedule

NET2026

HASTE | Leidos-4Rocket Lab · Electron · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C), Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USATo be determinedNET 2026 NET2026

HASTE | Leidos-3Rocket Lab · Electron · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C), Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USATo be determinedNET 2026

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

Don't Be Such A Square

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown2

Ascent8

Second Stage and Payload5

Mission

Rocket Lab

Updates

Electron

Don't Be Such A Square

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown2

Ascent8

Second Stage and Payload5

Mission

Rocket Lab

Updates

Electron

Next From Wallops Flight Facility

Next From Wallops Flight Facility

Don't Be Such A Square

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown2

Ascent8

Second Stage and Payload5

Mission

Rocket Lab

Updates

Electron

Never Miss a Launch.

Don't Be Such A Square

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown2

Ascent8

Second Stage and Payload5

Mission

Rocket Lab

Updates

Electron

Next From Wallops Flight Facility

Never Miss a Launch.

Next From Wallops Flight Facility