Цель Rocket Lab - стоимость одного пуска в $5 миллионов. При том, что стоимость запуска "взрослых" ракет начинается от примерно 60 миллионов долларов ($62 млн. у SpaceX на 2018 год), предложение Rocket Lab будет потенциально выгодным для тех, у кого есть небольшой спутник, целевая орбита низкая околоземная или полярная, и нет времени ждать попутчиков на ракету-носитель средней грузоподъемности.
Launch attempt could be any time between 1pm - 5pm, May 24 - June 2 (NZST). Weather and operational factors can impact exact time. #ItsaTest pic.twitter.com/O6LthBSL3w
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLabUSA) May 23, 2017
Yesterday, we had to hold at T-12 minutes due to the weather closing in. Trying again today! #ItsaTest pic.twitter.com/m2m0k8TIb5
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLabUSA) May 24, 2017
Meanwhile, weather conditions still seem to be working against Rocket Lab. Still a while to go in the available window. pic.twitter.com/y1lQyfCQeR
— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) May 25, 2017
And there's the Soyuz 2-1B set to launch in a few hours times. Soyuz doesn't care about the weather.... pic.twitter.com/oWxvedjl8Z
— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) May 25, 2017
#ItsaTest pic.twitter.com/JI4M6iTqiC
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLabUSA) May 25, 2017
Rocket Lab confirms the Electron rocket “reached space” after launching from New Zealand at 4:20pm local time (0420 GMT; 12:20am EDT).
— Stephen Clark (@StephenClark1) May 25, 2017
Rocket Lab's small satellite launcher soars to space from New Zealand on first flight, falters before reaching orbit https://t.co/NLWEAZNdqK pic.twitter.com/rXpUQSDSSm
— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) May 25, 2017
Space - as seen by Electron. #ItsaTest pic.twitter.com/JR2RlZuLFp
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLabUSA) May 25, 2017