THE COUNTDOWN is on for the Rocket Lab test phase, with three rockets close to completion.

Two public meetings were held at Mahia over the weekend to keep local people up to date with the launch process. Rocket Lab operations vice-president Shane Fleming said the three test rockets were close to completion.

Individual components and integrated systems had been successfully tested in Auckland, which had given the team huge confidence.

The test phase in Mahia would have a window of two weeks and would be as soon as possible, although not this month.

Orbit angles key to lower launch costsThe cost of launching Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket and satellite is expected to be around $7.6 million, compared with the average cost of $180 million.

Being able to launch frequently and use a range of different azimuths, or orbit angles, from the Onenui Station site is key to bringing down the cost.

With a payload of 150 kilograms, the rocket will reach a speed of 27,000 kilometres an hour in eight minutes — a requirement for it staying in orbit at 300 to 500km above Earth.

Like flying through soupLaunch vice-president Shaun D’Mello said that flying through the atmosphere was like flying through soup. Things got better once you got through the soup, with less drag or resistance.

Systems engineer Izaak Connaughton said that, once launched, the satellite was expected to continue orbiting for around five years — in line with the technology development cycle — and burn-up on reentering Earth’s atmosphere.

Variety of global customers and potential clientsMost of Rocket Lab’s global customers had environmental applications looking at weather patterns, climate change and deforestation.

Regional institutes and research programmes are also potential users, along with customers like NASA, Planet, Spire (a weather, marine search and rescue, and airplane tracking company) and Moon Express (a privately-funded commercial space company created to develop and mine the resources of the Moon and undertake further space exploration).

Imaging and communications technologies are being targeted, as they would use the satellites to provide services like improved weather reporting, internet from space, natural disaster prediction, up-to-date maritime data, search and rescue services and agri-business.

The payload could be dedicated to one customer’s satellite or a combination of smaller satellites.

The commercial phase could see weekly and night launches and will be financed in part by venture capital from Skype and Silicon Valley interests.

Test launchesIt is anticipated three test launches will be held.

Half an hour before and after each launch, the areas concerned will be closed to the public and minimal safe distances for vessels and aircraft will be set.

Rocket Lab will seek exclusive use of an area of water around the launch site for a brief time, which will be advertised and be the subject of a notice to mariners.

Changes to the planned times are expected during this test phase.

When Rocket Lab begins its commercial phase, the size of the safety zones is expected to be reduced as reliability is demonstrated.

Benefits to local people unclearMeanwhile, to what extent local people will benefit from the launches remains unknown.

Communications manager Catherine Moreau-Hammond said more businesses would have opportunities as Rocket Lab moved into the next stage.

More support roles were anticipated when the team at Mahia expanded during the test phase, and these people would need housing and meals.

Around 14 staff would need housing and, in the future, 40 to 50 people could be employed in the test flight programme phase.

TEST FLIGHTS NEAR: The test flights for Rocket Lab’s 17m Electron are getting closer as three test rockets are nearly complete. From left, Rocket Lab’s Sean D’Mello, Arthur Symes, Maata Blake-Winter, Irene Taumata, Janet Vincent and Rocket Lab’s Shane Fleming after the first of two public meetings in the weekend. Picture by Ann Revington, Wairoa Star