Naomi Cooper
Rocket Lab aims to deploy another four satellites to orbit as part of its eighth Electron rideshare launch mission scheduled for next month.
The mission, dubbed Look Ma, No Hands, will carry a cubesat to be the starting point of a maritime surveillance constellation for UnseenLabs as well as three rideshare payloads for Spaceflight, consisting of BlackSky’s Global-4 Earth-imaging satellite and two research satellites for the U.S. Air Force, Rocket Lab said Monday.
UnseenLab’s new constellation will be built to deliver maritime data for organizations to monitor ships and observe illegal vessel operations. The Air Force satellites are designed to evaluate the potential application of new technology such as communications, propulsion, power and drag systems on future spacecraft.
“Our focus is on providing a frequent, reliable and precise launch service, whether small satellite constellation operators want to fly as a dedicated payload or as part of a rideshare mission,” said Lars Hoffman, senior vice president of global launch services at Rocket Lab.
The mission will be Rocket Lab’s fourth launch this year, following on from the Make It Rain mission that sent seven satellites to orbit in late June.
