Rocket Lab Notches Its Quickest Turnaround

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Rocket Lab Notches Its Quickest Turnaround
Launch: An Electron rocket lifts off in New Zealand earlier this month.

Rocket Lab USA Inc. set a new record for the fastest turnaround time in the aerospace company’s history.

The Long Beach space vehicle launch and manufacturing firm sent up two missions from two pads in two different hemispheres within 24 hours in late November.

The Ice AIS Baby mission, the second of the two, took five satellites for French Internet-of-Things company Kineis into low orbit. It was the 14th mission for Rocket Lab this year and the 56th launch overall. The Electron rocket carrying the satellites took off from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, on Nov. 25.

The launch took place just 21 hours and 55 minutes after Rocket Lab completed a successful mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, setting a new company record for fastest turnaround between launches.

Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive Sir Peter Beck said that two successful launches less than 24 hours apart from pads in different hemispheres is an “unprecedented capability” in the small launch market and one that the company is proud to deliver.

“Customers like Kineis are unlocking the potential of space and we’re excited to give them the keys to do so with frequent, dedicated, and reliable small launch opportunities,” Beck said in a statement.

The Ice AIS Baby mission was the third of five dedicated Electron launches for Kineis. The previous two took place in June and September, each carrying five satellites that were deployed into low Earth orbit.

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