Rocket Lab successfully launched an Electron rocket this afternoon with a brand new satellite tv for pc for the Argos program, which offers connectivity to quite a few scientific endeavors. It’s a milestone for the corporate, however extra importantly marks — simply — the worst pun ever launched into house. The mission was referred to as “It Argos Up From Right here.”
The launch (and more and more, spacecraft) firm has all the time struck a lightweight tone in its mission names, normally within the type of some in-joke or play on phrases. I concern this one could symbolize the zenith, or some would say nadir, of this observe. If there’s a worse pun in orbit, it should be labeled.
However to Rocket Lab it’s maybe extra essential that this launch is the eighth of the 12 months, breaking their earlier file for annual launches. In the end, as CEO and founder Peter Beck has mentioned many instances, the aim is to supply 5 to 10 instances that quantity, however it’s not an ambition you may tackle .
The Argos program is a global one which lets sensors in far-flung locations ship their information dwelling. It’s typically used to trace animals within the wild or for different conditions the place connectivity is unsure — forests, oceans, and so forth. Whereas NOAA is certainly one of its chief architects, the system is utilized by over 100 nations frequently.
The pun itself, and an illustration of the spacecraft in orbit.
The satellite tv for pc that went up was constructed by Basic Atomics and carries the Argos-4 communications array. It was the one payload on the Electron, which by the best way Rocket Lab didn’t try to recuperate this time. They’re in all probability in the course of tweaking the catch-and-recover course of after their successful demonstration in May.
This was the thirty first launch by Rocket Lab general, and it has extra deliberate for 2022. Another from their authentic launch advanced in New Zealand, after which the inaugural launch from LC-2 in Virginia — which we hope to attend.
You’ll be capable to see Beck in individual in case you come to TC Periods: House in December. Check it out.
