Find out when Rocket Lab will make new try this week to launch Electron from Wallops

Kristian Jaime, Salisbury Daily Times
·2 min read
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UPDATE, March 15: Rocket Lab is targeting Thursday, March 16, for its next launch attempt of Electron rocket from Wallops Island, with a 6-8 p.m. EDT launch window. Saturday's initial launch attempt was scrubbed because of high winds.

UPDATE, March 13: This article was updated at 5:08 p.m. Monday to include the announcement by Rocket Lab of when it will next try to launch its Electron rocket from Wallops. Saturday's initial launch attempt was scrubbed because of high winds.

Rocket Lab has announced a big upcoming launch from Virginia's Wallops Flight Facility, with the window for its second launch of the Electron rocket now set for Thursday, March 16, between 6 and 8 p.m., with liftoff targeted for 6:38 p.m.

The private company announced its “Stronger Together” mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island for American space tech company Capella Space, a provider of commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery.

The first launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, also of an Electron rocket, took place Jan. 24, 2023.

“Stronger Together” will deploy two 100-kg class satellites to low Earth orbit and expand the existing Capella Space SAR constellation, increasing imaging capacity to meet growing customer demand. Capella Space SAR satellites can gather images of Earth any time of day, in any weather and penetrate conditions including clouds, fog, smog, darkness and smoke.

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket takes off Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, from Wallops Island, Virginia. The "Virginia is for launch lovers" mission is the first of three Electron launches for Hawkeye 360 to deploy satellites to low Earth orbit.
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket takes off Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, from Wallops Island, Virginia. The "Virginia is for launch lovers" mission is the first of three Electron launches for Hawkeye 360 to deploy satellites to low Earth orbit.

This upcoming launch is one of five missions for Capella Space scheduled to start launching on Electron this year, following the recently announced multi-launch deal securing four rapid succession launches for Capella by Rocket Lab.

More on the company's initial launchRocket Lab's big Electron rocket launch from Wallops a 'flawless success.'

ELECTRON LAUNCH PHOTOS:Liftoff! Rocket Lab's first Electron launch in US from Wallops: PHOTOS

Initially, Capella was slated to use Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. However, there is the option for Capella to move any of these missions to Virginia's Launch Complex 2 should that be needed to meet Capella’s requirements.

Members of the public wanting to watch Electron’s upcoming launch from Virginia can visit nearby viewing locations in Accomack County, such as Robert Reed Park and Curtis Merrit Harbor on Chincoteague Island. The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Atlantic beaches also provide good viewing locations.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Rocket Lab sets new Electron launch window this week, find out when