Rocket Lab Follower
@deezmemes.bsky.social
Space, science, tech and democracy enthusiast progressive. Following the meteoric rise of the company Rocket Lab, a disruptor of Musk's SpaceX launch monopoly. Not affiliated with the company. See feed "Rocket Lab Follower Feed."
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Rocket Lab is the only cost efficient space company credibly challenging Musk's other leg of wealth, SpaceX. Founder Sir Peter Beck is the only space billionaire not bending the knee to Trump. Many big customers of RL are not American and RL has received <2% US subsidies compared to SpaceX's $20B+.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
We're getting ready 🚀 Preparations have begun for tonight's mission for Open Cosmos on Electron from LC-1.
Launch window opens:
🚀 11:52 pm NZDT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 UTC, Jan 22
🚀 5:52 am ET, Jan 22
🚀 2:52 am PT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 am GMT, Jan 22
Launch window opens:
🚀 11:52 pm NZDT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 UTC, Jan 22
🚀 5:52 am ET, Jan 22
🚀 2:52 am PT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 am GMT, Jan 22
January 22, 2026 at 1:55 AM
We're getting ready 🚀 Preparations have begun for tonight's mission for Open Cosmos on Electron from LC-1.
Launch window opens:
🚀 11:52 pm NZDT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 UTC, Jan 22
🚀 5:52 am ET, Jan 22
🚀 2:52 am PT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 am GMT, Jan 22
Launch window opens:
🚀 11:52 pm NZDT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 UTC, Jan 22
🚀 5:52 am ET, Jan 22
🚀 2:52 am PT, Jan 22
🚀 10:52 am GMT, Jan 22
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
Update on Neutron Stage 1 qualification testing. rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rock...
rocketlabcorp.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Update on Neutron Stage 1 qualification testing. rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rock...
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
The ESCAPADE mission has won an
@erdayastronaut.bsky.social Astro Award! 🎉
We're proud to be recognized for our role in making interplanetary science and exploration possible at unprecedented speeds and for a fraction of the cost of traditional missions.
@erdayastronaut.bsky.social Astro Award! 🎉
We're proud to be recognized for our role in making interplanetary science and exploration possible at unprecedented speeds and for a fraction of the cost of traditional missions.
January 19, 2026 at 11:10 PM
The ESCAPADE mission has won an
@erdayastronaut.bsky.social Astro Award! 🎉
We're proud to be recognized for our role in making interplanetary science and exploration possible at unprecedented speeds and for a fraction of the cost of traditional missions.
@erdayastronaut.bsky.social Astro Award! 🎉
We're proud to be recognized for our role in making interplanetary science and exploration possible at unprecedented speeds and for a fraction of the cost of traditional missions.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
Launch update:🚀Due to strong winds and incoming bad weather, we're rescheduling our launch attempt for Open Cosmos. New launch date will be later this week, weather pending.
January 19, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Launch update:🚀Due to strong winds and incoming bad weather, we're rescheduling our launch attempt for Open Cosmos. New launch date will be later this week, weather pending.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
Wet Dress Rehearsal is complete and Electron is ready for its 1st launch of the year with Open Cosmos - though strong winds are a watch item for the launch attempt tomorrow.
Launch window opens:
🚀 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
🚀 6:09 am ET, Jan 20
🚀 03:09 am PT, Jan 20
🚀 11:09 am GMT, Jan 20
Launch window opens:
🚀 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
🚀 6:09 am ET, Jan 20
🚀 03:09 am PT, Jan 20
🚀 11:09 am GMT, Jan 20
January 19, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Wet Dress Rehearsal is complete and Electron is ready for its 1st launch of the year with Open Cosmos - though strong winds are a watch item for the launch attempt tomorrow.
Launch window opens:
🚀 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
🚀 6:09 am ET, Jan 20
🚀 03:09 am PT, Jan 20
🚀 11:09 am GMT, Jan 20
Launch window opens:
🚀 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
🚀 6:09 am ET, Jan 20
🚀 03:09 am PT, Jan 20
🚀 11:09 am GMT, Jan 20
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
Electron's first mission of the year is scheduled for launch from LC-1 in just 5 days' time.
"The Cosmos Will See You Now" is launching for Open Cosmos to a 1,050km orbit with 2x spacecraft.
Launch window opens 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
"The Cosmos Will See You Now" is launching for Open Cosmos to a 1,050km orbit with 2x spacecraft.
Launch window opens 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
January 15, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Electron's first mission of the year is scheduled for launch from LC-1 in just 5 days' time.
"The Cosmos Will See You Now" is launching for Open Cosmos to a 1,050km orbit with 2x spacecraft.
Launch window opens 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
"The Cosmos Will See You Now" is launching for Open Cosmos to a 1,050km orbit with 2x spacecraft.
Launch window opens 12:09 am NZDT, Jan 21
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
On Jan. 6, our Explorer spacecraft for NASA &
@ucbssl.bsky.social's ESCAPADE mission successfully completed its second trajectory correction maneuver, lasting 97.7 seconds, sending Gold into its months-long deep-space cruise phase alongside its twin, Blue. 🌍➡️🔴 Read more: bit.ly/49sy6W2
@ucbssl.bsky.social's ESCAPADE mission successfully completed its second trajectory correction maneuver, lasting 97.7 seconds, sending Gold into its months-long deep-space cruise phase alongside its twin, Blue. 🌍➡️🔴 Read more: bit.ly/49sy6W2
January 8, 2026 at 5:08 PM
On Jan. 6, our Explorer spacecraft for NASA &
@ucbssl.bsky.social's ESCAPADE mission successfully completed its second trajectory correction maneuver, lasting 97.7 seconds, sending Gold into its months-long deep-space cruise phase alongside its twin, Blue. 🌍➡️🔴 Read more: bit.ly/49sy6W2
@ucbssl.bsky.social's ESCAPADE mission successfully completed its second trajectory correction maneuver, lasting 97.7 seconds, sending Gold into its months-long deep-space cruise phase alongside its twin, Blue. 🌍➡️🔴 Read more: bit.ly/49sy6W2
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
✅ Record launch year with 21 launches + 100% mission success
✅Opened LC-3
✅Qualified Neutron's Fairing & 2nd stage
✅ ESCAPADE on the way to Mars
✅Acquired Geost
✅Awarded $816M contract by SDA to make more sats for PWSA, our largest contract ever.
We're ready to make 2026 even bigger
✅Opened LC-3
✅Qualified Neutron's Fairing & 2nd stage
✅ ESCAPADE on the way to Mars
✅Acquired Geost
✅Awarded $816M contract by SDA to make more sats for PWSA, our largest contract ever.
We're ready to make 2026 even bigger
December 30, 2025 at 9:07 PM
✅ Record launch year with 21 launches + 100% mission success
✅Opened LC-3
✅Qualified Neutron's Fairing & 2nd stage
✅ ESCAPADE on the way to Mars
✅Acquired Geost
✅Awarded $816M contract by SDA to make more sats for PWSA, our largest contract ever.
We're ready to make 2026 even bigger
✅Opened LC-3
✅Qualified Neutron's Fairing & 2nd stage
✅ ESCAPADE on the way to Mars
✅Acquired Geost
✅Awarded $816M contract by SDA to make more sats for PWSA, our largest contract ever.
We're ready to make 2026 even bigger
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
Rocket Lab launches final mission, sends Japanese satellite to orbit — Rocket Lab successfully concluded its 2025 launch campaign with the 21st mission, "The Wisdom God Guides," on Sunday, December 21st.… https://ranked.news/eng/rocket-lab-launches-final-mission-sends-japanese-satellite-to-orbit?u=b
December 23, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Rocket Lab launches final mission, sends Japanese satellite to orbit — Rocket Lab successfully concluded its 2025 launch campaign with the 21st mission, "The Wisdom God Guides," on Sunday, December 21st.… https://ranked.news/eng/rocket-lab-launches-final-mission-sends-japanese-satellite-to-orbit?u=b
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
We've just been awarded our largest contract to date 🛰️
An $816M prime contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency to design and manufacture 18 satellites for missile warning, tracking, and defense.
Learn more: bit.ly/3MJv0FD
An $816M prime contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency to design and manufacture 18 satellites for missile warning, tracking, and defense.
Learn more: bit.ly/3MJv0FD
December 19, 2025 at 10:26 PM
We've just been awarded our largest contract to date 🛰️
An $816M prime contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency to design and manufacture 18 satellites for missile warning, tracking, and defense.
Learn more: bit.ly/3MJv0FD
An $816M prime contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency to design and manufacture 18 satellites for missile warning, tracking, and defense.
Learn more: bit.ly/3MJv0FD
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment confirmed for the STP-S30 mission for USSF's Space Test Program and 4x DiskSats to a 550km LEO 🛰️🚀
December 18, 2025 at 6:42 AM
MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment confirmed for the STP-S30 mission for USSF's Space Test Program and 4x DiskSats to a 550km LEO 🛰️🚀
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
Next mission alert: Launching from Launch Complex 2 tomorrow will be our 20th Electron launch of the year: the STP-S30 mission for the USSF's Space Test Program.
'Don't Be Such A Square' launch window opens:
🚀 12:00 am ET, Dec 18
🚀 9:00 pm PT, Dec 17
🚀 05:00 UTC, Dec 18
🚀 6:00 pm NZT, Dec 18
'Don't Be Such A Square' launch window opens:
🚀 12:00 am ET, Dec 18
🚀 9:00 pm PT, Dec 17
🚀 05:00 UTC, Dec 18
🚀 6:00 pm NZT, Dec 18
December 16, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Next mission alert: Launching from Launch Complex 2 tomorrow will be our 20th Electron launch of the year: the STP-S30 mission for the USSF's Space Test Program.
'Don't Be Such A Square' launch window opens:
🚀 12:00 am ET, Dec 18
🚀 9:00 pm PT, Dec 17
🚀 05:00 UTC, Dec 18
🚀 6:00 pm NZT, Dec 18
'Don't Be Such A Square' launch window opens:
🚀 12:00 am ET, Dec 18
🚀 9:00 pm PT, Dec 17
🚀 05:00 UTC, Dec 18
🚀 6:00 pm NZT, Dec 18
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment confirmed for Electron's 77th launch, releasing JAXA's RAISE-4 satellite to a 540km LEO 🛰️🚀
December 14, 2025 at 4:18 AM
MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment confirmed for Electron's 77th launch, releasing JAXA's RAISE-4 satellite to a 540km LEO 🛰️🚀
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
We've been awarded R&D funding from Canadian Space Agency to build a new medium-class reaction wheel for larger satellites.
Reaction wheels point and steady spacecraft in orbit and ours have delivered 20+ years of flight heritage keeping 300+ missions on target. 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3KNFTFI
Reaction wheels point and steady spacecraft in orbit and ours have delivered 20+ years of flight heritage keeping 300+ missions on target. 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3KNFTFI
December 9, 2025 at 11:10 PM
We've been awarded R&D funding from Canadian Space Agency to build a new medium-class reaction wheel for larger satellites.
Reaction wheels point and steady spacecraft in orbit and ours have delivered 20+ years of flight heritage keeping 300+ missions on target. 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3KNFTFI
Reaction wheels point and steady spacecraft in orbit and ours have delivered 20+ years of flight heritage keeping 300+ missions on target. 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3KNFTFI
Actually given this form factor Rocket Lab Neutron can be called the world's first design where the entire rocket lands back for reuse. What is called 2nd stage can be considered a part of the payload inside the rocket where the rocket is 1st stage and fairing. Eagerly awaiting the maiden flight.
We've completed qualification & acceptance testing of the Hungry Hippo fairing for Neutron 🚀 With the design, structure, and operations of Neutron's fixed reusable fairing and upper module now proven out, Hungry Hippo is ready for launch.
December 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Actually given this form factor Rocket Lab Neutron can be called the world's first design where the entire rocket lands back for reuse. What is called 2nd stage can be considered a part of the payload inside the rocket where the rocket is 1st stage and fairing. Eagerly awaiting the maiden flight.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
Frontier radios carry ESCAPADE’s voice across the Solar System. NASA’s Deep Space Network picks up the signal from Canberra, Madrid and Goldstone and routes it to UC Berkeley and our Long Beach and Auckland mission control centers.
December 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Frontier radios carry ESCAPADE’s voice across the Solar System. NASA’s Deep Space Network picks up the signal from Canberra, Madrid and Goldstone and routes it to UC Berkeley and our Long Beach and Auckland mission control centers.
SpaceX Starship HLS manned lunar lander is the most lagging part of the manned moon mission and hence it is SpaceX that should face consequences. As mentioned earlier, the plan with SpaceX borders unfeasible and ensures China can win the race this time. Musk's delusional promises are sinking NASA.
December 5, 2025 at 3:03 AM
SpaceX Starship HLS manned lunar lander is the most lagging part of the manned moon mission and hence it is SpaceX that should face consequences. As mentioned earlier, the plan with SpaceX borders unfeasible and ensures China can win the race this time. Musk's delusional promises are sinking NASA.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
So you’re in space and on the way to Mars, what next? Time to fire up the engines 🛰️🛰️
Learn more in our latest blog post: bit.ly/4p8DHYf
Learn more in our latest blog post: bit.ly/4p8DHYf
December 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
So you’re in space and on the way to Mars, what next? Time to fire up the engines 🛰️🛰️
Learn more in our latest blog post: bit.ly/4p8DHYf
Learn more in our latest blog post: bit.ly/4p8DHYf
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
We’ve completed payload integration and encapsulation at LC-1 with JAXA for our 77th Electron launch.
Next up: Wet Dress Rehearsal for the “RAISE and Shine" mission before the launch window opens on December 5 UTC.
Next up: Wet Dress Rehearsal for the “RAISE and Shine" mission before the launch window opens on December 5 UTC.
November 30, 2025 at 9:19 PM
We’ve completed payload integration and encapsulation at LC-1 with JAXA for our 77th Electron launch.
Next up: Wet Dress Rehearsal for the “RAISE and Shine" mission before the launch window opens on December 5 UTC.
Next up: Wet Dress Rehearsal for the “RAISE and Shine" mission before the launch window opens on December 5 UTC.
SpaceX is clearly failing with Starship while Blue Origin is not great either, given the company is older than SpaceX and they only have 2 successful orbital launches. This leaves a clear window for Rocket Lab Neutron to take serious market share given it is the most promising F9 competitor.
This is not good news for either SpaceX or NASA's mandate to land astronauts on the Moon using 10+ launches of Starship to fuel the lander in LEO. Starship getting things into orbit: 0 of 11. New Glenn: 2 of 2. www.space.com/space-explor...
SpaceX's 1st 'Version 3' Super Heavy Starship booster buckles under pressure during initial tests
Looks like Starship V3 might need a little more work before launching to space.
www.space.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
SpaceX is clearly failing with Starship while Blue Origin is not great either, given the company is older than SpaceX and they only have 2 successful orbital launches. This leaves a clear window for Rocket Lab Neutron to take serious market share given it is the most promising F9 competitor.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment is confirmed for the ‘Follow My Speed’ mission.
✅ 2nd launch in 48 hours
✅ 18th launch this year
✅ 76th launch in total
✅ 100% mission success in 2025
✅ 2nd launch in 48 hours
✅ 18th launch this year
✅ 76th launch in total
✅ 100% mission success in 2025
November 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment is confirmed for the ‘Follow My Speed’ mission.
✅ 2nd launch in 48 hours
✅ 18th launch this year
✅ 76th launch in total
✅ 100% mission success in 2025
✅ 2nd launch in 48 hours
✅ 18th launch this year
✅ 76th launch in total
✅ 100% mission success in 2025
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
View from the pad of our latest launch from LC-2.
With HASTE, we're proud to be unblocking the hypersonic test bottleneck with regular commercial launches, lowering the cost and increasing the tempo of hypersonic test flights for the U.S. and its allies.
With HASTE, we're proud to be unblocking the hypersonic test bottleneck with regular commercial launches, lowering the cost and increasing the tempo of hypersonic test flights for the U.S. and its allies.
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
View from the pad of our latest launch from LC-2.
With HASTE, we're proud to be unblocking the hypersonic test bottleneck with regular commercial launches, lowering the cost and increasing the tempo of hypersonic test flights for the U.S. and its allies.
With HASTE, we're proud to be unblocking the hypersonic test bottleneck with regular commercial launches, lowering the cost and increasing the tempo of hypersonic test flights for the U.S. and its allies.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
🛰️🛰️ The twins are talking!
We have successfully established contact with both ESCAPADE spacecraft, 💙 Blue and 💛 Gold, following launch on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket today.
We're on our way to Mars to enable NASA and UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab to study the Martian magnetosphere!
We have successfully established contact with both ESCAPADE spacecraft, 💙 Blue and 💛 Gold, following launch on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket today.
We're on our way to Mars to enable NASA and UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab to study the Martian magnetosphere!
November 14, 2025 at 3:37 AM
🛰️🛰️ The twins are talking!
We have successfully established contact with both ESCAPADE spacecraft, 💙 Blue and 💛 Gold, following launch on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket today.
We're on our way to Mars to enable NASA and UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab to study the Martian magnetosphere!
We have successfully established contact with both ESCAPADE spacecraft, 💙 Blue and 💛 Gold, following launch on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket today.
We're on our way to Mars to enable NASA and UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab to study the Martian magnetosphere!
Angry Astronaut again with a thorough analysis shows how Elon's SpaceX is a key reason US moon ambitions are doomed to fail and why the Chinese will very likely win the manned moon race this time, underlining how Trump policies are killing US space leadership along with the rest of science.
@lorengrush.bsky.social @genejm1017.bsky.social @dsfpspacefl1ght.bsky.social Orion uses the same service module engine as Apollo. The Shuttle OMS engines were Apollo service module engines. This same engine was also used as a Delta II upper stage engine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_QP...
SpaceX has a new plan to land on the Moon! Will it work for NASA Artemis?
YouTube video by The Angry Astronaut
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Angry Astronaut again with a thorough analysis shows how Elon's SpaceX is a key reason US moon ambitions are doomed to fail and why the Chinese will very likely win the manned moon race this time, underlining how Trump policies are killing US space leadership along with the rest of science.
Reposted by Rocket Lab Follower
L-2 days until ESCAPADE launches! Soon, the twins will be on their way to Mars for NASA & UC Berkely to reveal how the planet’s real-time response to space weather and how the Martian magnetosphere changes over time. Who’s ready to make history?
November 7, 2025 at 10:36 PM
L-2 days until ESCAPADE launches! Soon, the twins will be on their way to Mars for NASA & UC Berkely to reveal how the planet’s real-time response to space weather and how the Martian magnetosphere changes over time. Who’s ready to make history?