40th Rocket Lab Electron Mission, “We Love The Nightlife”, Launches From New Zealand with Reused Engine

This week, a Rocket Lab Electron rocket blasted off from New Zealand, carrying a satellite into low-Earth orbit. This was the 40th launch from Rocket Lab, but what made this mission special was using a refurbished engine from a previous launch in 2020. After the launch, they successfully recovered the booster from the ocean for the 6th time (the 3rd in 2023).

#rocketlab

https://www.universetoday.com/162928/40th-rocket-lab-mission-we-love-the-nightlife-launches-from-new-zealand-with-reused-engine/

Ars Technica: Rocket Report: DOJ sues SpaceX; a look inside doomed Spaceport Camden https://arstechnica.com/?p=1962918 #Tech #arstechnica #IT #Technology #unitedlaunchalliance #reusablerocket #rocketreport #NorthKorea #rocketlab #spaceport #Science #lawsuit #spacex #Space #astra

Rocket Report: DOJ sues SpaceX; a look inside doomed Spaceport Camden - Enlarge / SpaceX's Super Heavy booster, numbered Booster 9, rolls back ... - https://arstechnica.com/?p=1962918 #unitedlaunchalliance #reusablerocket #rocketreport #northkorea #rocketlab #spaceport #science #lawsuit #spacex #space #astra

"In terms of orbital rockets, only NASA's space shuttle and SpaceX's Falcon 9 vehicles have demonstrated the capability of re-flying an engine. With Rutherford, Rocket Lab has now also flown a rocket engine that landed in the ocean for the first time."

https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/rocket-lab-joins-spacex-in-re-flying-a-rocket-engine-to-space/

#RocketLab #RKLB #NewSpace #RutherfordEngine

The re-flight of a Rutherford engine demonstrates rocket reuse is here to stay - Enlarge / Rocket Lab launches an Electron booster with a previously flo... - https://arstechnica.com/?p=1962793 #rocketlab #science #space

Ars Technica: The re-flight of a Rutherford engine demonstrates rocket reuse is here to stay https://arstechnica.com/?p=1962793 #Tech #arstechnica #IT #Technology #rocketlab #Science #Space #space

Peter Beck pushes toward a Neutron debut in 2024, but acknowledges challenges - Enlarge / Hello, Hungry Hippo fairing on Neutron. (credit: Rocket Lab) ... - https://arstechnica.com/?p=1961816 #rocketlab #science #neutron #space

Ars Technica: Peter Beck pushes toward a Neutron debut in 2024, but acknowledges challenges https://arstechnica.com/?p=1961816 #Tech #arstechnica #IT #Technology #rocketlab #Science #neutron #Space

@doctorwhom

The problem for Musk and Branson is that Peter Beck is proving that you don't have to be a crazy personality to get stuff into orbit (terrestrial or otherwise).

https://observer.com/2022/11/rocket-lab-founder-peter-beck/

#PeterBeck #RocketLab #NewSpace #ElonMusk #RichardBranson

Now let’s take a look at the Q3 guidance:

-Expect revenue to range from $70-$73M, with $30M coming from launch and 40-$43M coming from space systems.

-Expect Gross margin to range between 21-23%

-Expect an adjusted EBITDA loss of 10-$14M.

#rklb #rocketlab #space #spaceX #stockmarket

Now lets do a deeper dive into the financials:

In Q2 Rocket Lab generated $62M in revenue, $39.6M came from Space Systems and $22.5M came from launch. This is a $7.2M increase or 13% compared to the previous quarter.

Backlog increased $40.1M, this is the first time we’ve seen a backlog increase in over a year!

Q2 GAAP Gross Margins were 11.6%, in Q3 they were 23.5% representing a healthy increase.

GAAP SG&A expenses increased by $200k due to M&A costs of the Virgin Orbit facility.
GAAP R&D expenses increased by $7.1M due to a higher headcount, and to support the Neutron and space systems programs.

Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow increased by $300K. In large due to the Virgin Orbit acquisition, without the acquisition, Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow would’ve been -$16.7M compared to -$38.1M from Q2.
This represents a road to profitability.

They ended Q2 with $419M in cash and cash equivalents.

#space #rocketlab #newzealand

Next is Neutron development

Neutron development is also on track.

-They finished the stage 2 tank and a qualification campaign will begin in Q3.
-The stage 2 cryogenic test stand rig is build, ready for testing.
-LC-3 pad earthworks commenced.

The Neutron engine, Archimedes has also met a few milestones:

-Trust Chamber development on schedule.
-Injector development testing underway.
-Avionics hardware built and HITL testing underway.

Here are some upcoming milestones for Neutron in 2023:
-Stage 2 structural & cryogenic test campaign
-V1.0 avionics and orbital flights complete in HITL environment
-Stage 1 qualification infrastructure completion
-First development Archimedes engine build completed and test campaign started.

#rocketlab #neutron #nz #space

Next, let’s look at some Rocket Lab programs:

-ESCAPADE (the mars mission) is on track and will be ready for launch in 2024.
-The MDA, Globalstar program is on track.

#space #rocketlab #nz

Rocket Lab released its earnings yesterday, let’s take a closer look.

Let’s start with the big announcements:

-BlackSky signed a 5 launch contract for electron. Bringing the total contracted launches from BlackSky to eleven!
-A “confidential” customer signed a launch contract for HASTE in 2024.
-Targeting 4 launches this quarter and targeting 15 launches for the whole year.
-Targeting 20 launches for 2024.

#rocketlab #space #blacksky #bksy #rklb #gospace

Launch has been postponed!

Comment from #rocketlab :

We are standing down from today’s launch attempt due to out-of-family sensor data. The team will review and we’ll be back to the pad soon. Stay tuned for updates!

#nz #space

It's launch day for Rocket Lab's 40th Electron rocket!

Launch in T-25 minutes.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/dxdHJHBTUEM?feature=share

#space #rocketlab #nz #newzealand #electron #rocketlaunch #gospace

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Abort abort abort!

Rocket Lab's 40th electron launch was aborted at T-0!

#rocketlab

Tune in to watch Rocket Lab's 40th #Electron launch!

Launch in T-15 minutes!

https://www.youtube.com/live/IAwEeNI_D10?feature=share

#RocketLab #space #gospace #capella #newzealand #nz

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