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submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

The Moon God Awakens

Welcome everyone! This mission marks Electron's return to flight after the failed launch of Acadia Mission 2 (We Will Never Desert You).

| Scheduled for UTC | 2023-12-15 04:00 | |


|


| | Scheduled for (local) | 2023-12-15 17:00 (NZDT) | | Launch site | LC-1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand. | | Launch vehicle | Electron | | Customer | iQPS | | Payload | QPS-SAR-5 synthetic-aperture radar satellite | | Mission success criteria | Successful deployment of QPS-SAR-5 into desired orbit |

Livestreams

| Stream | Link | |


|


| | Rocket Lab | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLwTLqaCnQ8 | | Everyday Astronaut | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_IR2VR_3co | | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9Jd5DxDr6w | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IhrmgiROXI |

Stats

  • This will be the 10th launch for Rocket Lab this year.
  • This will be the 42nd launch for Rocket Lab.

Payload info:

NextSpaceflight:

QPS-SAR-5 is a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite that will join a constellation after QPS-SAR-6 already in orbit. iQPS’s satellites are small, high-performance SAR satellites that use a lightweight, large, stowable antenna to collect high resolution images of Earth, even through clouds and adverse weather conditions. Ultimately, the iQPS constellation is planned to have 36 satellites capable of monitoring specific fixed points on Earth every 10 minutes.

| Target orbit | Low Earth Orbit | |


|


| | Total Mass | 100 kg |

Previous mission (We Will Never Desert You) | Next mission (Four Of A Kind)

Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here! Also feel free to leave feedback or suggestions for the mod team. We’re still a relatively small sub, so feedback from the community is very valuable!

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[-] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Launch pushed to December 15th due to weather:

https://nitter.net/RocketLab/status/1734454772693119172#m

That’s a wrap on launch dress rehearsal, but with high winds approaching Launch Complex 1 we’re now targeting no earlier than December 15th NZDT for the launch of #TheMoonGodAwakens for @QPS_Inc

Mission info: rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission

Dec 12, 2023 · 6:06 AM UTC

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

They are currently holding the countdown at T-12 minutes.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

https://nitter.net/RocketLab/status/1735482962618274147#m

Weather is green for launch and we are less than two hours away from lift-off for #TheMoonGodAwakens

Launch Window Opens:

  • 🚀 NZDT | 17:00
  • 🚀 UTC | 04:00
  • 🚀 EST | 23:00
  • 🚀 PST | 20:00

📺 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLwTLqaCnQ8

Dec 15, 2023 · 2:12 AM UTC

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago
[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

The hold has been released! The countdown has resumed!

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Go no-go poll is complete. They are go for terminal count.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago
[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Strongback retract has started.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

LOx load is complete.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago
[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

MECO, stage separation, and stage 2 ignition!

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Fairing separation confirmed.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

SECO confirmed, nominal transfer orbit achieved, and kickstage separation confirmed.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Battery hot-swap confirmed.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Coast phase for the next ~45 minutes, then the Curie engine burn at T+58 minutes.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Hosted webcast is back! Curie burn is under way.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Payload deployment confirmed!

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Curie engine cutoff confirmed.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Rocket Lab webcast has ended. See you all next time!

this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2023
10 points (100.0% liked)

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