When is the next Rocket Lab launch?

The leader in smallsat launches, Rocket Lab, is hoping to have its biggest year yet. Last year Rocket Lab launched nine rockets out of New Zealand, and this year we expect them to finally get into double digits. Rocket Lab’s next launch will be its second mission for NASA’s TROPICS program no earlier than May 21.

Two more TROPICS satellites coming within two weeks

On May 7, Rocket Lab launched its first pair of TROPICS satellites for NASA. These satellites will attempt to bring measurements of developing hurricanes down to once an hour. Current options can only provide readings once every six hours. This will have a great increase in modeling for forecasters and emergency planners to prepare coastal cities for these powerful storms.

Because of the need to launch more payloads into the same constellation, Rocket Lab will have to launch the next mission in two weeks. The company has already begun preparations for the mission that will also launch out of New Zealand. The rocket is already ready, and the payloads are being processed.

This next launch of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket will be the company’s fifth of 2023 and 37th overall.

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Rocket Lab’s Electron launch sites

Rocket Lab can launch its Electron rocket from three different sites, two of which are on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand. LC-1A was the original launch pad for Electron and has launched most of the company’s rockets. LC-1B is next to LC-1A and launched its first Electron in February of 2022. The newest launch pad for Electron is on Wallops Island, Virginia, at MARS and is called LC-2 by Rocket Lab and 0C by Virgina Space.

List of past Rocket Lab launches

Rocket Lab has launched 33 Electron rockets, with its best year being 2022, with nine successful launches so far. Electron has failed during launch three times, giving it a roughly 90% success rate.

2017

Total launches: 1 (1 failure)

Mission Name	Launch Date	Launch Site	Notes
It’s a Test	May 25, 2017	LC-1A	Successful liftoff and stage separation, but the rocket was destroyed by the range safety officer after connection was lost.

2018

Total launches: 3

Mission Name	Launch Date	Launch Site	Notes
Still Testing	January 21, 2018	LC-1A	First successful launch of Electron and to carry payloads. Deployed four payloads into Earth orbit. The first use of Rocket Lab’s kick stage.
It’s Business Time	November 11, 2018	LC-1A	Successful launch of seven CubeSats.
This One’s For Pickering	December 16, 2018	LC-1A	The first launch of a NASA-sponsored payload.

2019

Total launches: 6

Mission Name	Launch Date	Launch Site	Notes
Two Thumbs Up	March 28, 2019	LC-1A	First launch for DARPA, sending a test satellite into Earth orbit.
That’s A Funny Looking Cactus	May 5, 2019	LC-1A	First launch for the US Air Force and Electron’s first night launch.
Make It Rain	June 29, 2019	LC-1A	First launch for BlackSky (now a regular of Rocket Lab) as well as for Swarm Technologies (now owned by SpaceX).
Look Ma, No Hands	August 19, 2019	LC-1A	Launch of a French maritime vessel tracking satellites and another BlackSky payload.
As the Crow Flies	October 17, 2019	LC-1A	The first launch of an upgraded bi-propellent kick stage to boost the payload to a 1,200 km orbit before deorbiting itself.
Running Out Of Fingers	December 6, 2019	LC-1A	First time Rocket Lab performed a re-entry of Electron’s booster to learn more about potential reuse.

2020

Total launches: 7 (1 failure)

Mission Name	Launch Date	Launch Site	Notes
Birds of a Feather	January 31, 2020	LC-1A	First launch for the National Reconnaissance Office, featured another controlled re-entry of Electron’s booster.
Don’t Stop Me Now	June 13, 2020	LC-1A	Launch of three classified payloads for the NRO, ELaNa 32 for NASA, the University of Southern Wales, and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Pics of it didn’t happen	July 4, 2020	LC-1A	Electron’s second stage failed during flight due to a faulty electrical connection that was not caught during ground tests.
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical	August 31, 2020	LC-1A	First flight of Rocket Lab’s Photon satellite bus/kick stage.
In Focus	October 28, 2020	LC-1A	Launch of 10 satellites for Planet Labs (9) and Canon (1).
Return To Sender	November 20, 2020	LC-1A	A large group of payloads deployed for various customers, including a mass simulator from Gabe Newell called Gnome Chompski. First successful recovery of an Electron booster from the water.
The Owl’s Night Begins	December 15, 2020	LC-1A	Test satellites for Japanese-based company Synspective.

2021

Total launches: 6 (1 failure)

Mission Name	Launch Date	Launch Site	Notes
Another One Leaves The Crust	January 20, 2021	LC-1A	Dedicated launch for German-based tech company OHB. The launch took place just six months after the contract signing.
They Go Up So Fast	March 22, 2021	LC-1A	Rocket Lab deployed its 100th satellite into orbit and its second Photon on a risk reduction test flight for NASA.
Running Out Of Toes	May 15, 2021	LC-1A	Second successful recovery of Electron’s booster, this time with an upgraded heatshield. A failure in the second stage’s thrust vector control system caused the engine to be shut down early and the two BlackSky satellites to miss making it to orbit.
It’s A Little Chile Up Here	July 29, 2021	LC-1A	Launch for the US Space Force, originally planned to launch out of LC-2 in Virginia, but NASA did not certify Rocket Lab’s flight termination system in time.
Love At First Insight	November 18, 2021	LC-1A	Second of four launches for BlackSky. Third successful recovery of Electron’s booster, first to have a helicopter track the booster.
A Data At Destiny	December 9, 2021	LC-1A	Third of four launches for BlackSky. New turnaround record was set for Rocket Lab at 20 days.

2022

Total launches: 9

Mission Name	Launch Date	Launch Site	Notes
The Owl’s Night Continues	February 28, 2022	LC-1B	Dedicated launch for Synspective, first launch from LC-1B in New Zealand.
Without MIssion A Beat	April 2, 2022	LC-1A	The final launch of BlackSky’s four launch contract with Rocket Lab.
There And Back Again	May 2, 2022	LC-1A	Launch of 34 satellites for six customers. First attempt of helicopter recovery of Electron booster, which succeeded in grabbing the booster but was forced to release it due to unexpected load characteristics.
CAPSTONE	June 28, 2022	LC-1B	Launch of NASA’s CAPSTONE mission to lunar orbit. First launch of NASA’s Artemis Program and first interplanetary for Electron/Rocket Lab. Electron’s booster was stripped to just its bare minimum to maximize lift.
Wise One Looks Ahead	July 13, 2022	LC-1A	First of two missions for the NRO to launch from both pads A and B back to back.
Antipodean Adventure	August 4, 2022	LC-1B	Second of two missions for the NRO to launch from both pads A and B back to back.
The Owl Spreads Its Wings	September 15, 2022	LC-1B	Dedicated launch for Synspective, 150th deployed satellites for Rocket Lab.
It Argos Up From Here	Ocotober 7, 2022	LC-1B	First launch for an NOAA/CNES payload for Rocket Lab.
Catch Me If You Can	November 4, 2022	LC-1B	Launch of research satellite for the Swedish National Space Agency. The helicopter recovery had to be called off due to the loss of telemetry from the booster.

2023

Total launches: 4

Mission Name	Launch Date	Launch Site	Notes
Virginia is for Launch Lovers	January 24, 2022	LC-2	Launch of three HawkEye 360 satellites, first Electron launch from a US launch pad.
Stronger Together	March 16	LC-2	Launch of two Capella Space satellites.
The Beat Goes On	March 24	LC-1B	Launch of two BlackSky satellites and fullfillment of its contract.
Rocket Like a Hurricane	May 7	LC-1B	Launch of two TROPICS SmallSats.