It will be the space company's first mission beyond low Earth orbit and the first lunar mission to be launched from New Zealand. Rocket Lab spokesperson Morgan Bailey said the Capstone satellite that it would launch was a small pathfinding satellite. It was a significant mission for Rocket Lab to be involved in, Bailey said. A small launch vehicle, as used by Rocket Lab, has never been used to launch a mission to the Moon. The contract is valued at just under $10 million, which Rocket Lab said made it one of the most affordable lunar launches undertaken.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 06, 2021 23:03 UTC