I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical
Electron
Rocket Lab Ltd
Mission
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical
Type: Earth Science
Launch Cost: $6,000,000
This return to flight mission is dedicated for Capella Space, an information services company providing Earth observation data on demand.
Capella’s payload, ‘Sequoia’, is a single 100 kg class microsatellite which will be the first publicly available satellite in the company’s commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation. By positioning the satellite to a 45-degree inclination, Capella Space will maximize coverage over important areas such as the Middle East, Korea, Japan, Europe, South East Asia, Africa, and the U.S.
The mission name is a nod to Capella’s SAR technology that provides high quality images of the Earth day or night, and in any weather conditions, as well as a nod to the infamous advertisement campaign for “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”. Capella’s space-based radar can detect sub-0.5 meter changes on the surface of the Earth, providing insights and data that can be used for security, agricultural and infrastructure monitoring, as well as disaster response and recovery.
Trajectory
The trajectory is unavailable. Check back for updates.
Location
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A
Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
32 rockets have launched from Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
Rocket
Electron – Rocket Lab Ltd
- Family: Electron
- Length: 18 m
- Diameter: 1.2 m
- Launch Mass: 13 T
- Low Earth Orbit Capacity: 300 kg
The Electron was manufactured by Rocket Lab Ltd with the first launch on 2017-05-25. Electron has 31 successful launches and 3 failed launches with a total of 34 launches. Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage.
Agency
Rocket Lab Ltd – RL
- Type: Commercial
- Abbreviation: RL
- Administration: CEO: Peter Beck
- Founded: 2006
- Launchers: Electron
- Country: USA
Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. Electron currently launches from only Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand however a second launch complex in the US is under development.
