The Virginia Spaceport Authority

Virginia Spaceport Authority Celebrates Success of "Virginia is for Launch Lovers” Mission from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport

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Electron lifts off from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's (MARS) pad-0C in Wallops Island, Virginia. Photo by Trevor Mahlmann

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Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket successfully launched on January 24th from the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS). The “Virginia is for Launch Lovers” mission, the first Electron rocket launched in the United States, deployed three satellites for radio frequency geospatial analysis belonging to Hawkeye360, a Virginia-based satellite company. The satellites were integrated at the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Integration and Control Facility, which Rocket Lab leases.

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“I’m honored to support the launch of this historic mission,” said Virginia Spaceport Authority CEO Roosevelt “Ted” Mercer, Jr. “Our partnership with Rocket Lab and NASA is a unique opportunity for the Commonwealth of Virginia to create long-term economic development opportunities on the Eastern Shore.”

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This is the first of three Electron-Hawkeye360 missions. A total of 15 satellites will be launched to low Earth orbit through 2024. These missions will allow Hawkeye360 to provide more precise geolocation of radio frequency emissions anywhere in the world.