Space Launch NowUpcoming Launches
All upcoming launchesLoading launches
Rocket LabLaunch SuccessfulEarth ScienceElectron · Capella 2 & First Light
Launched 2020-08-31 03:05:47 UTCRocket Lab Launch Complex 1A, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Success
Reached Low Earth Orbit
Worldwide
66th
orbital launch attempt in 2020
Rocket Lab
4th
launch this year
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A
4th
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
57 d 5 h
since the pad's previous launch
This return to flight mission is dedicated for Capella Space, an information services company providing Earth observation data on demand.
Capella’s payload, ‘Sequoia’, is a single 100 kg class microsatellite which will be the first publicly available satellite in the company’s commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation. By positioning the satellite to a 45-degree inclination, Capella Space will maximize coverage over important areas such as the Middle East, Korea, Japan, Europe, South East Asia, Africa, and the U.S.
The mission name is a nod to Capella’s SAR technology that provides high quality images of the Earth day or night, and in any weather conditions, as well as a nod to the infamous advertisement campaign for “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”. Capella’s space-based radar can detect sub-0.5 meter changes on the surface of the Earth, providing insights and data that can be used for security, agricultural and infrastructure monitoring, as well as disaster response and recovery.
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
98
Successful
94
96%
Landings
7
of 9
Upcoming
60
scheduled
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.
The Sea God Surveys (iQPS Launch 9)Rocket Lab · Electron · Unknown Pad, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New ZealandLow Earth OrbitTo be confirmedThe 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