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| New Zealand space launch is first from a private site | New Zealand space launch is first from a private site |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An American company has launched a rocket into space from New Zealand, the first from a private launch facility. | An American company has launched a rocket into space from New Zealand, the first from a private launch facility. |
| Rocket Lab's 17m (56ft) Electron rocket took off from the Mahia Peninsula, in North Island, the firm said on Twitter. | Rocket Lab's 17m (56ft) Electron rocket took off from the Mahia Peninsula, in North Island, the firm said on Twitter. |
| The test flight was the first launch ever from New Zealand and is a major first step in an emerging market; launching cheap disposable rockets to carry small satellites and other cargo. | The test flight was the first launch ever from New Zealand and is a major first step in an emerging market; launching cheap disposable rockets to carry small satellites and other cargo. |
| The company plans to start frequent commercial launches later this year. | The company plans to start frequent commercial launches later this year. |
| Poor weather conditions had pushed the launch into the fourth day of a 10-day window and the Electron finally took off at 16:20 local time (04:20 GMT). | Poor weather conditions had pushed the launch into the fourth day of a 10-day window and the Electron finally took off at 16:20 local time (04:20 GMT). |
| The launch was conducted with no media or spectators permitted but the company released a video on their Twitter page. | |
| The test launch, one of three planned, did not carry any actual cargo, but Rocket Lab says eventually the Electron rocket will carry 150kg (331lbs) into orbit. | The test launch, one of three planned, did not carry any actual cargo, but Rocket Lab says eventually the Electron rocket will carry 150kg (331lbs) into orbit. |
| Why New Zealand? | |
| Rocket Lab's founder and chief executive Peter Beck is from New Zealand and the firm has a New Zealand subsidiary. | |
| The country has less air traffic, compared to say the US, so there is less need for flights to be rerouted every time a rocket is sent to space. | |
| New Zealand is also positioned well to get satellites into a north-to-south orbit around earth. | |
| The country is hoping to become a low-cost space hub. | |
| Why is the launch significant? | Why is the launch significant? |
| Private and commercial rocket launches are becoming more and more common - the most famous example being Elon Musk's SpaceX. | Private and commercial rocket launches are becoming more and more common - the most famous example being Elon Musk's SpaceX. |
| But SpaceX builds huge rockets aimed at following in the footsteps of Nasa missions, delivering cargo to the international space station and eventually sending man to Mars. | But SpaceX builds huge rockets aimed at following in the footsteps of Nasa missions, delivering cargo to the international space station and eventually sending man to Mars. |
| Rocket Lab's Electron is entirely different. Its goal is to launch what, by comparison, is a tiny rocket for a fraction of the price. | Rocket Lab's Electron is entirely different. Its goal is to launch what, by comparison, is a tiny rocket for a fraction of the price. |
| That means that launches can be more frequent and a lot cheaper. | That means that launches can be more frequent and a lot cheaper. |
| There is a growing market for small satellites and so-called cubesats - small rectangular boxes that may weigh only a few kilos which are used, for instance, to gather pictures of Earth and weather data. | There is a growing market for small satellites and so-called cubesats - small rectangular boxes that may weigh only a few kilos which are used, for instance, to gather pictures of Earth and weather data. |
| Rocket Lab's website already allows you to book a seat for your satellite. The cheapest deal is a small cubesat on a rideshare option - prices start at $77,000 (£59,280). | |
| Currently, the only way of getting these into orbit is by hitching a ride on a big rocket as a secondary payload. | Currently, the only way of getting these into orbit is by hitching a ride on a big rocket as a secondary payload. |
| What kind of a rocket is the Electron? | What kind of a rocket is the Electron? |
| The Electron is 17m long and 1.2m in diameter. | The Electron is 17m long and 1.2m in diameter. |
| While the maximum payload is 225kg, it is designed to carry only 150kg into low orbit - between 300km (186 miles) and 500km above earth. | While the maximum payload is 225kg, it is designed to carry only 150kg into low orbit - between 300km (186 miles) and 500km above earth. |
| Just to put this into perspective: SpaceX's current Falcon rocket is a towering 70m and can carry 22,800kg into low orbit. | Just to put this into perspective: SpaceX's current Falcon rocket is a towering 70m and can carry 22,800kg into low orbit. |
| According to Rocket Lab, each launch costs around $5m and the rocket is made entirely of carbon-composite and can not be re-used. | |
| The firm has developed its own partly 3-D printed engine for the project. | The firm has developed its own partly 3-D printed engine for the project. |