Rocket Lab Successfully Launched Its Ninth Electron Rocket Into Space

Recently, Rocket Lab has successfully completed its ninth mission, which is to launch the Electron rocket into space. The mission was named "As The Crow Flies" and was completed at 06:11 (Indian Standard Time). The rocket with its orbital mission left the ground from the LC-1 launchpad while moving a payload to the orbit from Astro Digital. 

The payload contained “Palisade”, a single satellite of Astro Digital into the orbit. This is part of a test for the next generation of geographic communications satellites serving space science, as reported by TechCrunch. 

In previous missions, Rocket Lab used the patented kick phase for its Electron, driven by a 3D-printed thruster which is able to deorbit eventually. At this mission, the spacecraft was determined to land at a lower Earth orbit, however, the payload was adjusted for Lab to align with the commercial service model's orientation. 

Here's an official announcement that Rocket Lab wrote on its Twitter's page:

In fact, the launch could have started earlier. But due to the raincheck of other partners and Astro Digital's additional preparation for its 'Corvus' imaging satellites, the launch time of the rocket had to be delayed. 

As such, after the launch process and continuation of the kick stage, the satellite of Astro Digital will enter the final deployment phase to the targeted orbit that it is directed at. Until now, Rocket Lab has counted a total of 40 satellites that were successfully deployed, reaching a record of 100 percent success.