This is the third of a bulk buy of three Electron launches by Synspective to deliver their StriX satellites to low Earth orbit. StriX satellites can collect data with a ground resolution of 1-3m and a swath width of more than 10-30km. Each Electron launch will deliver 1 StriX satellite into orbit.

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[–] Dave 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Watched it this morning. Are NZ launches for sun synchronous orbit always done in the middle of the night? Or is it also about the exact position as well?

And I see the next launch is from Virginia and I think will be evening in NZ! https://www.rocketlaunch.live/launch/live-and-let-fly-nro

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Are NZ launches for sun synchronous orbit always done in the middle of the night? Or is it also about the exact position as well?

It depends on what specific sun synchronous orbit is desired (e.g. noon/midnight orbit vs. dawn/dusk orbit), ~~and what time of year the launch occurs~~.

~~The launch time will drift by ~4 minutes earlier per day over the course of the year. If you want to launch into the same SSO 3 months later, you have to launch ~6 hours earlier in the day.~~

Edit: I was mistaken.

[–] Dave 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

The sidereal day you linked to says it's about being synced with the celestial sphere (position of the stars). Not the sun?

I would have thought if you want to be in the sun, you'd need to launch to get to the same position at the same time relative to sunrise. I don't really understand how the 4 minute drift happens for solar synchronous orbits?

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Upon reflection, I believe you are correct and I was mistaken. For SSO, launch time would be relative to solar time (sunrise) NOT sidereal time (stars). Whoops :)

[–] Rangelus 3 points 8 months ago

Awesome! Wish I could stay up and watch. Guess I'll catch it in the morning.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Webcast is live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF9cWWkSlsQ

Prachi Sukhnani (reaction wheels engineer) is hosting.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Polling is complete, they are go for launch.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

LOX load is complete.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Liftoff!

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

MECO, stage separation, stage-2 ignition, and fairing jettison.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

SECO and kick-stage separation confirmed!

Curie burn scheduled for around T+50 minutes.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Nominal curie engine burn and orbit insertion. Payload deploy confirmed.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

T-0 pushed due to weather: https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1767549409594835102

Launch update: we're adjusting today's T-0 slightly to account for weather.

New T-0:
NZDT | 04:03
UTC | 15:03
EDT | 11:03
PDT | 08:03