The countdown was quiet and calm, running into no issues with the rocket and lifting off right at the opening of the launch window. There was a boat in the no go zone ahead of the launch, which led to the range being red during the T-30-minute poll. However, that boat was able to safely exit the zone by the final go/no go poll.
More to come from Rocket Lab
This is the first of many launches Rocket Lab expects to launch from LC-2 and LC-1 in New Zealand this year. This year we expect the SmallSat launch company to hit double digits for total launches as it strives to increase how many rockets it can build and launch in a single year.
Its next launch could be one of two upcoming Q1-dated missions, one for NASA out to LC-1 and one for Capella Space from LC-2. The later mission already has a rocket sitting and waiting in Virginia, so we will have to wait to see who is ready to launch first.
