Electron | Fasten Your Space Belts (BlackSky Gen-3 1) launch

Rocket LabLaunch SuccessfulEarth Science

Fasten Your Space Belts

Name: Electron | Fasten Your Space Belts (BlackSky Gen-3 1)
Start: 2025-02-18T23:17:00Z
Location: Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Electron · BlackSky Gen-3 1

Launched Tue, Feb 18 · 11:17 PM UTC2025-02-18 23:17 UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Reached orbit

Follow Rocket Lab in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+9:11 and released the payload at T+55:28.

Worldwide

33rd

orbital launch attempt in 2025

Rocket Lab

2nd

launch this year

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B

1st

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

59 d 9 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: Rocket Lab - 'Fasten Your Space Belts' Launch

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 11:17 PM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown2

T−2:0011:15 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:0211:16 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (2 steps)

T−2:0011:15 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:0211:16 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent8

T+0:0011:17 PMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+0:5711:17 PMVehicle is supersonic
T+1:0911:18 PMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:3811:19 PMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:4111:19 PMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:4411:19 PMStart of the second engine
T+3:3211:20 PMSeparation of the payload fairing
T+6:3411:23 PMElectron Second stages switches to a new set of batteries and jettisons the depleted ones.

Second Stage and Payload5

T+9:1111:26 PMCut-off of the second engine
T+9:1511:26 PMSeparation of the kick stage from the previous stage
T+51:2012:08 AMStart of the kick stage engine
T+54:4312:11 AMCut-off of the kick stage engine
T+55:2812:12 AMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket

Mission

The first of five BlackSky Technology missions to deploy its new next-generation BlackSky Gen-3 satellites. The commercial constellation of Gen-3 satellites has the capability to produce imagery with 50-centimeter resolution and host multiple sensors, including in shortwave infrared (SWIR). The improved resolution and enhanced spectral diversity of the Gen-3 satellites will expand BlackSky's ability to provide real-time information to its customers.

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

Feb 19 · 3:51 PM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Feb 19 · 12:13 AM
Spacecraft separation.
Cosmic_Penguin
Feb 18 · 11:18 PM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Feb 18 · 10:56 PM
Official Webcast by Rocket Lab has started
Launch Library 2
Feb 18 · 10:54 PM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Feb 11 · 2:33 AM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jan 24 · 12:20 AM
NET February.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 22 · 8:31 AM
NET November.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 10 · 8:22 AM
Adding launch NET 2024
Nosu

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 SuccessfulEarth Science

Fasten Your Space Belts

Electron · BlackSky Gen-3 1

Launched Tue, Feb 18 · 11:17 PM UTC2025-02-18 23:17 UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Reached orbit

Follow Rocket Lab in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

The second stage shut down at T+9:11 and released the payload at T+55:28.

Worldwide

33rd

orbital launch attempt in 2025

Rocket Lab

2nd

launch this year

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B

1st

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

59 d 9 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: Rocket Lab - 'Fasten Your Space Belts' Launch

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 11:17 PM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown2

T−2:0011:15 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:0211:16 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (2 steps)

T−2:0011:15 PMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:0211:16 PMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent8

T+0:0011:17 PMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+0:5711:17 PMVehicle is supersonic
T+1:0911:18 PMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:3811:19 PMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:4111:19 PMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:4411:19 PMStart of the second engine
T+3:3211:20 PMSeparation of the payload fairing
T+6:3411:23 PMElectron Second stages switches to a new set of batteries and jettisons the depleted ones.

Second Stage and Payload5

T+9:1111:26 PMCut-off of the second engine
T+9:1511:26 PMSeparation of the kick stage from the previous stage
T+51:2012:08 AMStart of the kick stage engine
T+54:4312:11 AMCut-off of the kick stage engine
T+55:2812:12 AMFinal deployment of the payload from the rocket

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

Feb 19 · 3:51 PM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Feb 19 · 12:13 AM
Spacecraft separation.
Cosmic_Penguin
Feb 18 · 11:18 PM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Feb 18 · 10:56 PM
Official Webcast by Rocket Lab has started
Launch Library 2
Feb 18 · 10:54 PM
New T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Feb 11 · 2:33 AM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jan 24 · 12:20 AM
NET February.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 22 · 8:31 AM
NET November.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 10 · 8:22 AM
Adding launch NET 2024
Nosu

Electron

Vehicle history

Height

18m

Diameter

1.2m

To low Earth orbit

300kg

Liftoff thrust

162kN

Next From Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 schedule

Nov3Tue

Electron | The Sea God Surveys (iQPS Launch 9)

The Sea God Surveys (iQPS Launch 9)Rocket Lab · Electron · Unknown Pad, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New ZealandLow Earth OrbitTo be determinedTime TBD Nov10Tue

Electron | The Mountain God Rises (iQPS Launch 10)

The Mountain God Rises (iQPS Launch 10)Rocket Lab · Electron · Unknown Pad, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New ZealandLow Earth OrbitTo be determinedTime TBD

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

Fasten Your Space Belts

Replay

The Flight Plan

Countdown2

Ascent8

Second Stage and Payload5

Mission

Rocket Lab

Updates

Electron

Never Miss a Launch.

Fasten Your Space Belts

Replay

The Flight Plan

Countdown2

Ascent8

Second Stage and Payload5

Mission

Rocket Lab

Updates

Electron

Next From Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1

Never Miss a Launch.

Next From Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1