Earth imaging satellite company Planet and Rocket Lab have signed an agreement for the launches on its Electron launch vehicle. Aviation, tourism and energy writer for the Business HeraldNZ rocket company Rocket Lab has unveiled a deal to send at least three satellites into space from its Mahia Peninsula base. Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck said launch costs would be US$4.9 million -- much less than the cost of traditional rocket launches. Rocket Lab is on track to launch test vehicles later this year from a facility it is building on the Mahia Peninsula, south of Gisborne. Planet joins Nasa, Spire and Moon Express as customers announced to fly on Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 12, 2016 19:02 UTC