“The seventh satellite on the Electron was Faraday-1...included payloads for several customers such Airbus Defence and Space, which flew a payload called Prometheus 1 to test a reprogrammable software-defined radio.”
This is quite a bold, ambitious venture. Everything about it from design to production utilizes leading edge technology.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_(rocket)
So sad. SpaceX reusable vehicles launch and recovery is beginning to make rocket launches look almost routine.
The problem with that is, people and companies are beginning to take the risks involved with rocket launch a bit lightly.
So may companies are so very threatened by SpaceX they may be rushing things. Overlooking things. Perhaps taking a few shortcuts.
The cost of space launches is large. Especially so for single-use systems. In order to compete with the price, something must give.
No single-use launch company can compete on an equal playing field with a multi reusable launch system without cutting some corners.
Every company engaging in space launches are very concerned about their future with their very very expensive single-use programs. SpaceX threatens them all with their multi-use launch systems.
>> although it was not clear if it simply a decal
Hooker Headers
The New Zealand launch facility is at 39-S longitude.
It is my understanding that the most efficient location to launch a west-to-east orbital satellite is from the equator.
For polar orbits, is there any gain or loss of launch efficiency by moving closer - or further away - from the poles?