News

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October 1^st 2009 - Rocket Lab successfully completed the first flight qualification engine test fire for the Ātea-1 hybrid booster. The short duration test firing was aimed at initially confirming the exact performance of the hybrid booster engine and to provide data on the performance of all flight specification components and hardware.

The booster test also served as a valuable simulation of manufacture, assembly, pre-launch, and launch procedures. This included confirmation and testing of the automated filling system utilised for tanking of Nitrous Oxide.

Technical Director Peter Beck said, "This was the first booster test fire to involve an identical setup to the vehicle that will fly. The burn allowed the measurement and confirmation of important combustion parameters, such as chamber pressures, thrust and specific impulse. All sub-systems performed nominally and we are very excited with the high levels of performance shown."

August 17^th 2009 - The second boiler plate engine test was completed.

August 5^th 2009 - The first boiler plate engine test was completed.

July 30^th 2009 - Rocket Lab’s collaborative relationship with Air New Zealand Gas Turbines has resulted in completion of the test stand commissioning. Subsequently rocket engine testing has commenced at the Air New Zealand test cell facility.

July 1^st 2009 - Rocket Lab completed development of a new Liner Bond product, an EPDM insulation bonding resin. Extremely high peel strengths are achieved by Liner Bond between EPDM and carbon composites, aluminium alloys, steels and phenolic based composites.

April 17^th 2009 - The Minister for Research, Science and Technology, Hon Dr Wayne Mapp visited Rocket Lab's Auckland lab.

March 18^th 2009 - The Minister for Research, Science and Technology, Hon Dr Wayne Mapp and National Party List MP Aaron Gilmore visited Rocket Lab's Christchurch office.

November 11^th 2008 - Technical Director Peter Beck and the IRL Superconductor Team were awarded the Cooper medal during the Royal Societies annual science awards and dinner. The medal recognised Peter's involvement and work in developing new Superconductor technologies within the team. The Cooper Medal is made every two years to the person or persons, who in the opinion of the Selection Committee, publishes the best single account of original research in physics or engineering. Peter Beck said, "It was an honor to be recognised and serves as one of the highlights of my career; it was also a privilege to discuss and learn about some of the fantastic scientific and engineering achievements made by others."

September 15^th 2008 - Rocket Lab successfully tested its new low cost low shock 2^nd stage engine separation system (LCLS). The system is located between the engine and recovery systems and serves to initiate ballistic recovery of the payload. The LCLS separates the engine casing within 90 milliseconds and provides a stable platform for recovery. Structures and Dynamics Specialist Nikhil Raghu said today, "The LCLS system operated as expected and is designed to be modular to enable other critical separation or deployment events with ease."

August 29^th 2008 - Nikhil Raghu gave a presentation entitled "Composites in Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicles" at the Composites Association of New Zealand "Opportunities and Solutions" conference.

July 22^nd 2008 - Mark Rocket was a speaker at the 10^th Australian Space Development Conference in Adelaide.

July 2^nd 2008 - The third boiler plate engine test was successful and reached a peak thrust of 1,600 N.

June 12^th 2008 - The second boiler plate engine test achieved ignition and a complete fuel burn.

June 8^th 2008 - TV1's Sunday programme aired a story about Rocket Lab called 'Shooting For The Stars'.

May 30^th 2008 - A boiler plate version of Ātea's 2nd stage rocket engine was tested and included an assessment of around 20 new systems. Primary ignition was achieved and most systems executed as expected. A full engine burn was not accomplished due to excess oxidiser flow, Rocket Lab expects this will be remedied in the next engine test in June.

April 24^th 2008 - Rocket Lab successfully tested its primary parachute recovery system at an air base. A fully laden test vehicle was dropped from a plane at high altitude. At a predetermined altitude and velocity the recovery systems were initiated. The test vehicle landed under main canopy within 20 meters of the target site at nominal velocity.

March 26^th 2008 - Rocket Lab successfully tests it's "no shock" separation system. The separation system went through a number of qualification tests including thermal, cryogenic, shock and vibration. The separation system is unique because it uses no pyros or explosives, which are typical in current operational systems, and offers the science payload and a very gentle separation.

January 12^th 2008 - Rocket Lab prepares for a full scale engine test of the 2^nd stage rocket engine.

December 16^th 2007 - Rocket Lab's 2^nd stage rocket engine will be hybrid. Technical director Peter Beck said "The change was both strategic and technical but also reflects the direction that the company wishes proceed, the hybrid technology offers inert transportation and coupled with Rocket Lab's new hybrid fuel patent, allows for an environmentally responsive solution." On completion of the hybrid program for both engines, Rocket Lab aims to be the most environmentally-friendly suborbital rocket operator in the world.

December 7^th 2007 - Rocket Lab has developed and patented a new fuel for hybrid rocket engines that provides high regression rates and excellent mechanical properties.

November 2^nd 2007 - Peter and Mark from Rocket Lab went on a trade mission to Vancouver. They didn't attend the second part of the trade mission in Seattle, but instead went on to meetings at various locations in Canada and USA. The trade mission was successful with excellent relationships formed and highly useful market research carried out with space science participants.

September 27^th 2007 - Peter presented a paper at the 7th Australian Space Science Conference (ASSC) in Sydney. It was well received and good contacts were made with Australian space scientists. Peter went on to visit a series of small rocket launches at Woomera.

August 14^th 2007 - Official public launch with the unveiling of a full scale mock up of the Ātea-01 rocket. The company launch received wide media coverage, including: Stuff, NBR, TV1, TV3.

August 1^st 2007 - Rocket Lab was accepted by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to be part of a trade mission to Vancouver and Seattle, led by Minister Goff, in early November this year.

July 28^th 2007 - Rocket Lab was confirmed as a presenter of a paper at the forthcoming 7th Australian Space Science Conference (ASSC), to be held from 24-27 September 2007 in Sydney.

July 2^nd 2007 - Rocket Lab started consultation for Australian Rosco McGlashan on his rocket-powered attempt on the land speed record.

June 18^th 2007 - Peter Beck and Mark Rocket met with Hon. Trevor Mallard, Minister of Economic Development in Wellington.

May 24^th 2007 - Successful meeting with LanzaTech establishing further research into the development of a bio rocket fuel. View our research section for more information.

April 19^th 2007 - Rocket Lab secures a deal with American company, Celestis for memorial space launches.

April 12^th 2007 - Rocket Lab sponsors two Auckland University students' final year project. The project's focus is to develop a composite airframe for the Ātea project.

November 15^th 2006 - Peter Beck and Mark Rocket finalised the Rocket Lab business plan to develop a suborbital rocket in 2006/2007.

September 11^th 2006 - Peter Beck and Mark Rocket began discussions to develop Rocket Lab's suborbital business.

June 29^th 2006 - Rocket Lab Ltd was incorporated by Peter Beck.