Rocket Lab has secured a contract with NASA for three launches from its Māhia Peninsula site in 2027, bringing American Earth science missions to New Zealand.
The contract
The deal covers three separate launches using the company's Electron rocket platform. The missions will carry two Earth science payloads into orbit from the Mahia site on New Zealand's east coast.
NASA cited Rocket Lab's precision and rapid launch capability as factors in awarding the contract.
The missions
The two Earth science missions will be deployed across the three launches scheduled for 2027 from the Māhia Peninsula.
The Electron rockets will carry the payloads into orbit as part of the NASA contract.