Source: Radio New Zealand
It’s the first of two spacecraft of a satellite navigation demonstration mission in low Earth orbit. RNZ/ Nate McKinnon
Rocket Lab has successfully carried out its first dedicated launch on behalf of the European Space Agency.
The New Zealand-US space company’s 85th launch was carried out from its rocket pad in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday night.
It’s the first of two spacecraft of a satellite navigation demonstration mission in low Earth orbit.
An eventual new array of satellites some 500 kilometres above the earth will test next-generation technologies for uses like autonomous vehicles, maritime navigation, wireless networks, emergency services, and critical infrastructure projects.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/29/rocket-lab-carries-out-successful-launch-in-hawkes-bay/