WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. — Rocket Lab's second rocket to launch on United States soil blasted off Thursday evening from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.
Liftoff was at 6:38 p.m. 38 minutes into its two-hour launch window. About two minutes into the flight its stage separation was completed successfully and its two-satellite payload continued on its way to low Earth orbit.
About 10 minutes after launch, Rocket Lab reported "nominal transfer orbit achieved" and that deploying the payload could be expected within the hour.
The private space company had been trying to launch its rocket since Saturday, but weather issues have caused it to be scrubbed several times in the past week.
The first mission, named "Virginia is for Launch Lovers," launched on January 24 and deployed radio frequency monitoring satellites. It was also initially delayed by launch conditions.
This second launch from the Eastern Shore facility is named "Stronger Together." Rocket Lab said the mission is "a dedicated launch for satellite manufacturer and Earth observation company Capella Space."