Start-up space company Rocket Lab has announced new possible dates for the New Zealand launch of its first fully commercial flight after postponing the original April launch because of technical issues.
The 14-day launch window will open from June 23 to July 6, the company said on Saturday.
Rocket Lab's 17-metre rocket is set to take off from the Mahia Peninsula in NZ's North Island, the world's first privately-owned orbital launch site, carrying payloads from four commercial clients.
"Small satellites are playing an increasingly important role in providing crucial services that benefit millions of people on Earth," Rocket Lab founder and boss Peter Beck said.
"Frequent access to orbit is the key to unlocking the potential for these satellites, and Rocket Lab is the only small launch provider currently enabling this access."
This mission follows Rocket Lab's test flight in January, which reached orbit and put three small commercial satellites into space.
Owned by a US parent company, the New Zealand firm aims to offer weekly launches to commercial clients at a cost of about 4.9 million dollars.
Rocket Lab is the only small launch provider to have reached orbit. Its Electron rocket uses 3D-printed engines and is designed to send small payloads, such as imaging and communications satellites weighing up to 150 kilograms, into space.
