Rocket Lab is targeting no earlier than 10:00 am, Saturday 15 May UTC for the launch of ‘Running Out Of Toes’.
The mission is a dedicated launch deploying two Earth-observation satellites for BlackSky. For the first time this year, Rocket Lab will also be attempting to recover the Electron launch vehicle’s first stage under a parachute for a controlled ocean splashdown. The mission is the next major step in Rocket Lab’s program to make Electron a reusable rocket.
This launch also marks two significant milestones for Rocket Lab – it’s our 20th Electron mission and it will see our 200th 3D-printed Rutherford engine launched to space. More information about these achievements is attached.
Launch details
The launch will take place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. A two-hour window has been allocated for launch.
Launch Window:
UTC: 10:00 – 12:05 (15 May)
NZDT: 22:00 – 00:05 (15 May)
Pacific: 13:00 – 05:05 (15 May)
Eastern: 06:00 – 08:05 (15 May)
If we need to stand down from launch for any reason, we have back-up launch days available through May 28th.
About The Mission:
‘Running Out Of Toes’ will be Rocket Lab’s 20th Electron launch and the second of three planned ocean splashdown recovery missions.
While Electron’s second stage delivers the satellites to orbit, Rocket Lab will bring Electron’s first stage back to Earth underneath a parachute following a series of complex maneuvers. These include orienting the booster at an angle that will better help it survive the brutal re-entry process that involves heats of up to 2400-degrees celsius while travelling up to eight times the speed of sound.
‘Running Out Of Toes’ is also the first in a series of dedicated launches this year through Spaceflight Inc. for BlackSky, a leading provider of geospatial intelligence and global monitoring services. Two of BlackSky’s 60 kg class satellites will be launched on this mission in support of the aggressive scaling of BlackSky’s satellite constellation to meet the demand for real-time global monitoring and analysis services for public and private organizations.
You can find more information about the mission in the press kit attached and at: www.rocketlabusa.com/
Watch Live:
A live webcast will be available approximately 15-20 minutes prior to the target T-0 time at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-
Follow @RocketLab on Twitter for real-time updates on launch activity.
Images and Video:
You can find images and video content for this mission at the link below (Launch Photos and Video>Launch 11 Birds of a Feather). Additional images and footage will be added to this link following a successful launch.
www.rocketlabusa.com/news/