{"id":169104,"date":"2019-10-21T22:34:46","date_gmt":"2019-10-21T14:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geek.com\/featured\/-1807973\/"},"modified":"2019-10-21T22:34:46","modified_gmt":"2019-10-21T14:34:46","slug":"rocket-lab-sets-payload-sights-on-the-moon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/test\/wordpress\/2019\/10\/21\/rocket-lab-sets-payload-sights-on-the-moon\/","title":{"rendered":"Rocket Lab Sets Payload Sights on the Moon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rocket Lab will support deeper-space exploration and the return of human presence on the moon. (Photo Credit: Rocket Lab)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Spaceflight startup Rocket Lab today announced plans<\/a> to deliver payloads to the moon “and beyond” with its Photon satellite platform.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new service, launching on an Electron rocket, will be capable of sending up to 30kg into lunar orbit<\/a> as soon as the fourth quarter of 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Small satellites will play a crucial role in science and exploration, as well as providing communications and navigation infrastructure to support returning humans to the moon,” company CEO Peter Beck said in a statement. “They play a vital role as pathfinders to retire risk and lay down infrastructure for future missions.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The Photon spacecraft\u2014an advanced evolution of the Electron rocket\u2014combines propulsion, power, attitude determination and control, and radiation-tolerant avionics to deliver small spacecraft to the cosmos.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no word on total costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Pricing is tailored to mission requirements, but we’ll be bringing previously impossible missions within reach at attainable prices,” a company spokesperson told Ars Technica<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rocket Lab’s<\/a> announcement comes as NASA and international partners are looking to increase activity in orbit around the moon, as well as on its surface.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Many potential exploration instruments and full satellites are on shelves waiting for launch to deeper space,” Beck said. “In the same way we opened access to [low-Earth orbit] for smallsats, Rocket Lab is poised to become the dedicated ride to the moon and beyond for small satellites.”<\/span><\/p>\n

After months of delays, the firm in November launched seven payloads into orbit<\/a>\u2014its second successful dispatch and first commercial mission.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two-stage Electron vehicle lifted off from New Zealand’s M\u0101hia Peninsula nearly a year ago. After reaching orbit, the Curie kick stage deployed six satellites and a drag sail technology demonstrator to capture space junk.<\/span><\/p>\n

More on Geek.com:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n