Space - Spacex, NASA, Rocket Lab

[NTA]

That's so fucking rad. You'd think, with endless acres of waste AND a facility called "Woomera" we would have a space program. We've had nukes detonated out there FFS!

[canefan]

The launch scrubbed in December is potentially minutes away from being cleared to go today

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100742888/Rocket-Lab-attempts-to-launch-second-Electron-test-rocket-into-orbit

[canefan]

29 minutes away from rocket lab's you tube feed starting up, assuming no delays

[Snowy]

A boat entered the restricted area and delayed the launch apparently.

This also amused me - "a launching pad, which has sea views".
Sounds like a real estate ad. "Rocket launch site for sale . Suitable for launching space vehicles or fishing, you choose. Price by negotiation".

1720 for launch apparently. Too busy in space to go before then (for real - collision risks).

[canefan]

@snowy the boat turned up 5 minutes from launch. Now weather has turned and the launch is postponed again. What an arsehole!

[nzzp]

Launch imminent - 4 minutes awway if weather holds.

[canefan]

@nzzp FARK, almost shat myself when I opened the feed and saw that spiral contrail. All I could think of was oh shit it's a Challenger situation. Just watched stage 1 separation in real time. Fuck that is cool

[canefan]

I love the rocket name, "Still testing", not like the US Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger. Very Kiwi

[nzzp]

@canefan said in Rocket Lab:

I love the rocket name, "Still testing", not like the US Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger. Very Kiwi

The countdown was so kiwi ... strong accent going 'tin, noine, etc'...

[canefan]

The boys at Mission Control in All Black, the room is All Black, classy. They were all unmoved, then someone must have said 'We're on camera' and they all started to applaud

[jegga]

William Pickering must be watching this from somewhere proud as punch , they got the bastard up in orbit.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11979201

[Virgil]

sooo does this mean we can expect some threatening tweets from Trump very soon?

[jegga]

Powered by Rutherford engines .

Love it

[jegga]

“This is mission control Auckland.....”

[NTA]

Awesome shit. Will be watching that video once home from this bullshit inlaws rubbish

[canefan]

@jegga said in Rocket Lab:

“This is mission control Auckland.....”

Give em a taste of Kiwi!!

[canefan]

These guys are about to stare down the barrel at a massive payoff. One more launch and they deem themselves ready for commercial customers. Apparently they can use the same sized rocket as most satellites these days are about the size of a microwave oven. Our airspace is much less congested and our much lower fabrication costs mean that a launch could be a 10th of their competitors' price

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100757521/lift-off-new-zealands-rocket-lab-launches-first-rocket-into-orbit-from-mhia-peninsula

[Stockcar86]

Maybe they need NZ navy to patrol the exclusion zone, to keep the cray poachers out during the launch windows.

[canefan]

@stockcar86 said in Rocket Lab:

Maybe they need NZ navy to patrol the exclusion zone, to keep the cray poachers out during the launch windows.

I don't know if it's the NZN's responsibility, being a private company and all. Might need to patrol it themselves

[canefan]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11979604