Rocket Lab prepares for 100th launch as fans organise watch parties: ‘Golden milestone’

Detailed summary

Rocket Lab is marking its 100th launch with a gold-painted rocket as fans organise viewing parties to witness the slice of history. The space company’s 100th rocket launch is…

Rocket Lab is marking its 100th launch with a gold-painted rocket as fans organise viewing parties to witness the slice of history.

The space company’s 100th rocket launch is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Mahia launch site in northern Hawke’s Bay.

Rocket Lab described the forecast as a “bit iffy” earlier in the week, but says it remains hopeful the milestone event will go ahead as planned, with a one-hour launch window opening at 6.30pm.

Parts of the 18m-tall Electron rocket have been painted gold for the mission, on an otherwise black rocket, and the company has described it as a “golden milestone”.

Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Sir Peter Beck joked, “Initially the team thought I was not being serious” when he requested the custom paint job.

It has taken the company less than a decade to reach a century of launches, and its Electron rocket was first launched from Mahia in 2017.

Rocket Lab’s 99 launches to date include its Haste rocket launches, which are effectively a slight variant of its Electron rocket.

The company claims it has reached the milestone quicker than any other commercial space agency.

The mission will deliver one satellite into orbit for a Japanese client.

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