Auckland, NZ – Rocket Lab is set to launch a commercial radar-imaging satellite this morning, promising a spectacle that can be watched live. The Electron rocket, carrying one of Synspective’s Strix-3 satellites, is scheduled for liftoff from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site. The launch time is set for 11:03 a.m. EDT, within a one-hour launch window that was previously advertised.
Viewers can tune in to the event on the Rocket Lab website or watch it live on Space.com, with coverage beginning 30 minutes prior to the opening of the launch window. The mission, dubbed “Owl Night Long,” is an exciting endeavor by Rocket Lab in collaboration with Synspective, known for its innovative SAR satellites.
The Strix-3 satellite is designed to capture minute changes in Earth’s surface using synthetic-aperture radar technology, regardless of weather conditions and time of day. This will be Rocket Lab’s fourth mission for Synspective, highlighting their ongoing partnership in advancing Earth-imaging capabilities from space.
Once in orbit, Strix-3 will be positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) approximately 348.6 miles above Earth. Satellites in SSOs offer consistent lighting conditions, allowing for easier detection of changes on the Earth’s surface, making them ideal for weather and reconnaissance missions.
If the launch proceeds as planned, the Electron rocket will deploy Strix-3 into its intended orbit about 54 minutes after liftoff. Despite Rocket Lab’s efforts to recover boosters on previous missions, no details regarding recovery activities were mentioned in the “Owl Night Long” mission description.
Rocket Lab’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with companies like Synspective demonstrates its dedication to advancing technologies for Earth observation and imaging missions. The live broadcast of the launch promises an exciting showcase of cutting-edge space technology and exploration.