Rocket Lab looking at monthly launches

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

After launching 10 rockets into orbit from Mahia last year, rocket launch company Rocket Lab is readying to ramp up to a full dozen this year.

Work has now started to build a second launch pad at the Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 at Onenui Station.

“Groundworks on the Launch Complex 1 Pad B began in December 2019 with construction due for completion in late 2020.” a Rocket Lab spokeswoman said.

Rocket Lab's first launch for 2020 is scheduled for late January/early February.

Preparatory work for the pad's construction was under way with Wairoa-based Quality Roading and Services carrying out the work. The rest of the work was scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

“We're tracking towards a launch per month in 2020, with the first launch from our second launch pad in Virginia, US, expected in the first half of this year.”

Speaking at a press conference at the opening of its US launch site last month, Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck said the completion of Launch Complex 2 represented a new era in frequent, reliable and responsive space access from the United States.

Mr Beck said the choice of two Rocket Lab launch sites would offer more than 130 launch opportunities each year.