Rocket Lab Owl Night Long (StriX-3) Electron
Rocket Launch Video Stream
Rocket Launch Timeline
Track every phase of the rocket launch with our detailed mission timeline. From T-minus countdown events and pre-launch preparations through liftoff, stage separation, and orbital insertion, follow each critical milestone in real-time. Our comprehensive launch sequence timeline includes payload integration, propellant loading, engine ignition, and post-launch telemetry tracking.
| View Complete Launch Timeline | |
|---|---|
| T- 00 : 02 : 00 | Startup The onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks |
| T- 00 : 00 : 02 | Ignition Start of the engine ignition sequence |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 00 | Liftoff First upwards movement of the rocket |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 25 | MECO Cut-off of the main engine |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 28 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 31 | SES Start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 03 : 07 | Fairing Separation Separation of the payload fairing |
| T+ 00 : 06 : 20 | Battery Hotswap Electron Second stages switches to a new set of batteries and jettisons the depleted ones. |
| T+ 00 : 09 : 04 | SECO Cut-off of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 09 : 08 | Kick Stage Separation Separation of the kick stage from the previous stage |
| T+ 00 : 50 : 27 | Kick Stage Ignition Start of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 00 : 52 : 55 | Kick Stage Cut-off Cut-off of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 00 : 53 : 46 | Payload Separation Final deployment of the payload from the rocket |
About the Owl Night Long (StriX-3) Mission
- Type: Earth Science
- Orbit: Sun-Synchronous Orbit
- Launch Cost: $6,000,000
StriX-3 is a synthetic aperture radar satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company Synspective. It can gather high resolution Earth observation data regardless of conditions or daylight, offering a resilient and effective resource for the purposes of urban development, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response.
Launch Pad & Location
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
The Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B launch pad has hosted 35 rocket launches, including 35 orbital launch attempts. The Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand launch site has been the location for 75 total rocket launches.
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is a commercial spaceport located close to Ahuriri Point at the southern tip of Māhia Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is owned and operated by private spaceflight company Rocket Lab and supports launches of the company's Electron rocket for small satellites. With the launch of Electron on 25 May 2017, it became the first private spaceport to host an orbital launch attempt, and the first site in New Zealand to host an orbital launch attempt. With the Electron launch of 21 January 2018, it became the first private spaceport to host a successful orbital launch.
Rocket Lab Electron Rocket
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. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
About Rocket Lab
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. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Rocket Lab Electron Owl Night Long (StriX-3) launch scheduled?
The Rocket Lab Electron Owl Night Long (StriX-3) launch was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the Rocket Lab Electron Owl Night Long (StriX-3) launch video?
You can watch the Rocket Lab Electron launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the Rocket Lab Electron Owl Night Long (StriX-3) mission launch from?
The Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand. Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is a commercial spaceport located close to Ahuriri Point at the southern tip of Māhia Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is owned and operated by private spaceflight company Rocket Lab and supports launches of the company's Electron rocket for small satellites. With the launch of Electron on 25 May 2017, it became the first private spaceport to host an orbital launch attempt, and the first site in New Zealand to host an orbital launch attempt. With the Electron launch of 21 January 2018, it became the first private spaceport to host a successful orbital launch.
What rocket was used for the Owl Night Long (StriX-3) mission?
The Owl Night Long (StriX-3) mission launched aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket. 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. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Rocket Lab Electron Owl Night Long (StriX-3) launch?
The Rocket Lab Electron Owl Night Long (StriX-3) launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Rocket Lab Electron Owl Night Long (StriX-3) launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Rocket Lab Electron launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Owl Night Long (StriX-3) mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Rocket Lab live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.