Is it possible to launch two rockets in less than 24 hours? Rocket Lab has proven that yes – slightly different from SpaceX, the mentioned player in the space market seems to be leading in the field of organizing and executing “small and fast” launches into space.
Rocket Lab conducted two successful missions just 21 hours and 55 minutes apart. “Ice AIS Baby” was a success on November 25, launching five satellites for the French operator Kinéis. The launch took place from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, and was the 56th mission in the company’s history.
The rules of the game are changing – we need “lots and often”
The exceptional frequency of launches and their reliability are a must today due to the expanding IoT and satellite communications market. Real-time connectivity and availability of services are becoming more and more desirable – hence the boom in global satellite constellations. With the new satellites, Kinéis will come closer to completing its IoT constellation, which aims to provide global connectivity.
The Earth will thank us for these two quick launches
The Kinéis constellation consists of 15 satellitesand its full implementation will enable almost instantaneous data transfer with minimal energy consumption… if we ignore the energy allocated to launching satellites into space (I had to write it, but not out of malice: the project is definitely one of the most praiseworthy ones). Thanks to the equipment launched into space, it will be possible, among others, to: monitoring the state of natural resources, e.g. water and forests, rapid management of energy infrastructure and tracking transport and logistics. Based on this information, optimal actions in this area will then be developed. Going further, information about a forest fire can be quickly sent to the appropriate services, increasing the chance of a quick, coordinated response – and targeted at the right place.
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Quick and… small starts. Rocket Lab dominates here
The Electron rocket is a key element to success here. It is currently the launch vehicle of choice for small satellite operators. Two successful launches in such a short time are not so much a show of strength, but more of a signal to potential and current customers: “hey, nothing is impossible for us.”
Why is this happening? The sector of private space initiatives is developing better and better – and therefore there is greater interest from companies that need space for their devices that will perform various tasks for them there. On this occasion, decisive action should also be taken by regulators, who would look into the hands of all those who want to have a satellite in orbit. It is no secret that there is a lot of garbage floating around the Earth, which poses a significant threat not only to satellites, but also sometimes to people many kilometers below.
The increase in the number of satellites in orbit requires the development of effective space management and collision prevention systems. In turn, growing expectations regarding broadly understood environmental protection will require companies to further improve their solutions. Many businesses see an opportunity in Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States: the politician and businessman often speaks negatively about environmental protection regulations.
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The “Ice AIS Baby” mission is both a success and an opportunity for many businesses whose activities are based on being in orbit. Rocket Lab certainly gained some good PR with this achievement and at the same time confirmed many of its customers in the belief that everything is going in the right direction, and the company itself is developing in terms of interoperability in the field of “fast, small launches”. And that’s the point.
Source: antyweb.pl
