Rocket Lab gets NASA certification for official smallsat launches

techcrunch.com

180 points·ajaviaad··9 comments

I've been a fan of Rocket Lab since they started, but desperately wanted them to build a reusable rocket. A quick check on Wikipedia shows that they are in fact working on this! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab (even if using a parachute/helicopter and not direct full, rapid, reusability, it's something)

It's just not in the same direction they are trying to push things. Landing hardware is extra mass and with the payload fraction they can actually launch with their rocket's small size it just doesn't really make much sense to land the rockets under their own power a la SpaceX.

They are going to catch them

Rocket Lab regularly streams their launches on YouTube, check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/user/RocketLabNZ

While they are currently a leader for smallsat launches, they've got some competition ramping up.

Exciting times!

I don't think they're the leader by either smallsat mass launched or money. They have a niche that's fairly unique, but it's a niche.

Thanks for sharing the YouTube channel! My daughter has been really into watching rocket launches and we have run out of SpaceX videos.

One of my best friends has worked there for years. Crazy hours, but he loves what he does. Go NZ!

Awesome!

Now looking forward to them catching their rockets with helicopters!

Go kiwis!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com