Rocket LabTBD
Electron | LOXSAT 1
Pad: Unknown Pad · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
LOXSAT 1 is a demonstration satellite of a complete cryogenic oxygen fluid management system in orbit, developed by Eta Space and sponsored by NASA's Tipping Point program. The system will be integrated on a Rocket Lab Photon-LEO satellite bus and collect critical cryogenic fluid management data in orbit for 9 months, demonstrating capabilities of in-space cryogenic storage and transferal. Eta Space plans to use technology developed for this mission to develop a truly commercial depot intended to serve multiple customers in the future.
Mission StatusUTC / SYNCED
MISSION WINDOW CONCLUDED
Electron
LiftoffElectron CAPSTONE Lunar Mission Liftoff
Photo: Rocket Lab / Yourong F. Wang
Get Alerted for Electron | LOXSAT 1
Receive an email alert 1 hour prior to liftoff with live webcast links.
Mission Broadcast Archive
Electron | LOXSAT 1 Live Coverage
Official Webcast Feed Scheduled
Live broadcast embeds typically go live 15 to 20 minutes prior to launch window liftoff. Check the official Rocket Lab channels or Spaceflight Now for live feeds.
Host: Rocket Lab Flight OpsWindow: Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT
Status: TBD
🛰️ Mission Orbital & Environment Matrix
- Target Orbit
- LEO
- Target Altitude
- 550 km
- Inclination
- 53.2°
- Weather Violation Risk
- 10%
- Primary Payload
- LOXSAT 1
- Launch Window
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC – 12:00 AM UTC
♻️ Hardware Reusability & Recovery Matrix
- Booster Core
- Flight Proven Core
- Flight Count
- Operational Flight
- Recovery Strategy
- Autonomous Drone Ship (ASDS)
- Fairing Recovery
- Flight Proven
- Landing Vessel / Zone
- Designated Drone Ship (ASDS)
- Vehicle Architecture
- Electron Technical Specs & Flight Geometry →
⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence
Target T-0: 2026-09-30Terminal Count
T-00:15:00Autonomous launch sequence start
Auto Sequence
T-00:03:00Flight computer assumes control
Liftoff
T-00:00:00Stage 1 main engine ignition & liftoff
MECO & Stage Sep
T+00:02:40Main engine cut-off and stage separation
Stage 1 Landing
T+00:08:30Booster touchdown on recovery vessel / zone
Payload Deploy
T+00:45:00Spacecraft insertion into target orbit
Launch Complex & Spaceport
Unknown Pad
Mahia Launch Facility · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Pad Aerial
Rocket Lab LC-1 Mahia Peninsula Cliff
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 perched high above the South Pacific Ocean cliffs on the east coast of New Zealand.
Photo Credit: Rocket Lab / Rodney AllenLocated on the scenic cliffs of New Zealand's North Island, LC-1 is the world's only private orbital spaceport licensed to launch every 72 hours. With unobstructed ocean paths to low Earth orbit and sun-synchronous inclinations, it offers superior orbital flexibility.
Operator
Rocket Lab
Elevation
105 meters (ASL)
Azimuth Range
39°
Flight History
50+ Dedicated SmallSat Flights
Key Pad Facilities & Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Dual Launch Pads (Pad A & Pad B)Twin launch mounts allowing simultaneous vehicle integration and rapid turnaround cadence.
Cleanroom Payload Processing FacilityISO 8 cleanrooms for satellite fueling, integration, and fairing encapsulation.
Vehicle Integration BuildingHangar facility where 18-meter carbon-composite Electron boosters undergo final avionics checkouts.