Heavy winds delay world-first rocket launch at Rocket Lab's NZ launch pad

Monday, 22 May 2017

Rocket Lab was in March valued at more than $1.44 billion.

High winds have prevented Rocket Lab's world-first attempt to send a rocket into orbit from a private launch pad.

Rocket Lab, in March valued at more than US$1 billion (NZ$1.44 billion), was due to launch its first test-launch of its Electron rocket on Monday.

Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck says it hopes to do its first test launch on May 23.

But the satellite launch company has since delayed the launch from its Mahia Peninsula base in Hawke's Bay until Tuesday.

Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck said high winds on Sunday had prevented the company from rolling its rocket out to the launch pad.

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'We are keeping a close eye on the weather and will roll out the rocket later today (Monday) as the weather has improved, with the goal of a launch attempt tomorrow.'

The company has a 10-day launch window, which allows the test to be conducted between May 22 and June 2.

It planned to do three test launches ahead of its first commercial launch, and said it was common for launches to be postponed to wait for ideal conditions.

Electron, developed by the American-New Zealand aerospace company, was entirely made of carbon-composite that uses a 3D printed engine for its main propulsion system.

It has been designed to carry payloads, such as small satellites, to a low orbit.

The rocket will allow constellations of small satellites to provide services like cheaper internet from space and environmental monitoring, natural disaster prediction and search and rescue services.

Last week, Rocket Lab said it had secured a new customer called Spaceflight, a launch services and mission management provider.

The US company had purchased an Electron rocket to increase the frequency of its rideshare missions, where several small satellites can share the same launch to a specific destination.