Rocket Lab is one of the extremely small group of rocket launch startups that is actually sending payloads to space, and the company sends all of its spacecraft up from a scenic peninsula located on the east coast of New Zealand.
Why? Its ideally placed for high-frequency launch windows, which should help Rocket Lab send up even more payloads using its Electron spacecraft as it scales.
And the side benefits are incredibly stunning views and vistas.This tour of LC-1 includes a look at where Rocket Lab does final assembly for the spacecraft that it launches, which puts together parts made everywhere from Auckland to Huntington Beach, Calif.
Theres a look at how the rocket is rolled out and lifted for fueling and launch, and some insight into how Rocket Lab goes about partially muting some of the incredible volume of noise thats produced when it fires up its rocket missions.Finally, theres a quick look at LC-2, the second launch pad that Rocket Lab is currently building in Wallops Island, Va.
This will be the companys first United States -based launch site, which will unlock key launch capabilities for United States agency customers, and its set to host its first Electron launch sometime early next year.