Astro Digital
The successful mission brings the total count of satellites deployed by Rocket Lab to 40 and continues the company’s record of 100% mission success for customers. Credit: Rocket Lab USA.

American aerospace manufacturer Rocket Lab has deployed satellite manufacturer Astro Digital’s single spacecraft to orbit, which marks its ninth Electron mission.

Named ‘As The Crow Flies,’ the mission was launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula.

The payload was deployed by Electron’s Kick Stage to a more than 1,000km circular orbit.

Electron’s Kick Stage featured 3D-printed Curie engine and a bi-propellant design.

Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck said: “Congratulations to the Astro Digital team for readying the spacecraft and taking advantage of an earlier launch opportunity. Our teams worked closely to deliver a flawless mission in a demonstration of the truly responsive space launch that small satellites needs.

“No longer do small satellite operators have to accept the limitations of flying as a secondary payload, nor do they have to wait endlessly on the manifest of unproven launch vehicles. Frequent, responsive, and reliable launch is the new norm for small satellites, thanks to Electron.”

With the accomplishment of this mission, Rocket Lab has now deployed 40 satellites with 100% mission success.

The spacecraft is a Palisade technology demonstration satellite, a 16U CubeSat. It is equipped with Astro Digital-developed on-board propulsion and next-generation communications systems.

The CubeSat also features ASI’s MAX Flight Software advanced version and Advanced Solutions’ software.

Rocket Lab has its next mission planned in late November, which will be launched from Launch Complex 1.