Rocket LabTBD
Electron | We're Not Hawking Around (3x HawkEye 360)
Pad: Unknown Pad · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
HawkEye 360 is a a space-based civil global intelligence satellite network using radio frequency (RF) technology to help monitor transportation across air, land and sea and assist with emergencies, and to provide civil SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) mission. The constellation of small satellites (named Hawk ) will collect information on specific radio signals worldwide to provide high-precision radio frequency mapping and analytics from Low Earth orbit (LEO).
Mission StatusUTC / SYNCED
MISSION WINDOW CONCLUDED
Electron
LiftoffElectron CAPSTONE Lunar Mission Liftoff
Photo: Rocket Lab / Yourong F. Wang
Get Alerted for Electron | We're Not Hawking Around (3x HawkEye 360)
Receive an email alert 1 hour prior to liftoff with live webcast links.
Mission Broadcast Archive
Electron | We're Not Hawking Around (3x HawkEye 360) 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, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT
Status: TBD
🛰️ Mission Orbital & Environment Matrix
- Target Orbit
- SSO
- Target Altitude
- 550 km
- Inclination
- 53.2°
- Weather Violation Risk
- 10%
- Primary Payload
- We're Not Hawking Around (3x HawkEye 360)
- Launch Window
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 05:00 AM UTC – 08:45 AM UTC
🚀 Vehicle Architecture & Stage Configuration
- Architecture Type
- Single-Use Expendable
- Recovery Strategy
- None (Ocean Trajectory)
- Core Propulsion
- Liquid Cryogenic / Staged
- Upper Stage
- High-Energy Re-ignitable
- Fairing Shroud
- Standard Aerodynamic Shroud (Direct Jettison)
- Vehicle Architecture
- Electron Propulsion & Staging Specs →
⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence
Target T-0: 2026-10-21Terminal 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.