INTO THE NIGHT

35 and counting: Rocket Lab’s Electron launches from the company’s Mahia Pad B at 10.15pm on Friday. It was the 35th launch from the Onenui Station site and one of 15 planned launches in 2023. The latest launch was named The Beat Goes On. Picture supplied

Rocket Lab successfully launched its 35th Electron rocket from Mahia on Friday.
 The mission deployed two multi-spectral Gen-2 satellites to low Earth orbit for BlackSky through launch services provider Spaceflight Inc. 
The mission took place just seven days after the company’s previous Electron mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, setting a new company record for fastest turnaround between Electron missions.
The mission, named The Beat Goes On, lifted off at 10.15pm from Pad B at Launch Complex 1 at Onenui Station.
“Electron has repeatedly proven itself as a reliable constellation builder and today we’re proud to deliver mission success once again for BlackSky and Spaceflight after many previous missions together,” Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck said.
“Launching two successful missions just seven days apart from two different hemispheres is a real demonstration of responsive space in action, and successfully splashing down Electron’s first stage as part of our reusability programme is the icing on the cake.
The Beat Goes On was Rocket Lab’s seventh launch for BlackSky since 2019, helping to build out BlackSky’s growing real-time geospatial intelligence constellation.
In addition to delivering BlackSky’s satellites to orbit, Rocket Lab accomplished a successful ocean splashdown of Electron’s first stage in an effort to make Electron the world’s first reusable orbital small launch vehicle. 
The first stage will be transported back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for assessment, testing and requalification to inform future recovery missions. 
Pending the outcome of these assessments, Rocket Lab may choose to proceed with marine operations as the primary recovery method, opting to transition away from helicopter use.
Rocket Lab is on track this year to surpass its launch record of nine launches set in 2022 — 15 launches are planned. 
Upcoming disclosed Electron missions in 2023 include two launches for the NASA TROPICS constellation; the first of five dedicated missions for Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity provider Kinéis; several launches for Capella Space; and the launch of a mission to demonstrate space debris removal technology by Astroscale Japan.