SatNews

Satellite Industry Intelligence Since 1983

Rocket Lab scrubs Wednesday launch of Full Stream Ahead ’til June 2nd

A Rocket Lab Electron launcher carrying QPS-SAR-10, a synthetic aperture radar Earth-imaging satellite, lifts off from Mahia, New Zealand on May 17, 2025. (Image credit: Rocket Lab)

The “Full Stream Ahead” mission, which was originally scheduled for May 28, 2025, has been delayed to June 2, 2025. The primary reasons for the delay are the need for additional checkouts and the expectation of bad weather. 

The mission will launch the next of BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellites to a mid-inclination circular 470km orbit, where it will join the remainder of the company’s constellation delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics for daily intelligence operations.

“Full Stream Ahead” is the second in a series of four Electron launches booked by BlackSky to deploy its Gen-3 satellites to orbit this year, and the tenth overall launch for the company – making Electron the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date.

  • Additional Checkouts: Rocket Lab announced that the delay was to allow for additional checkouts to ensure everything is in working order. 
  • Bad Weather: The forecast for bad weather in the area prompted the decision to push the launch date back. 
  • BlackSky Satellite: The mission is carrying a BlackSky “Gen-3” satellite to a low Earth orbit

The forecast calls for a temperature of 61°F, overcast clouds, 87% cloud cover and a wind speed of 13mph.

Rocket Lab plans Tuesday launch of BlackSky’s Full Stream Ahead

BlackSky’s second Gen-3 satellite completes encapsulation onto an Electron rocket at Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The launch window for the “Full Stream Ahead” mission opens May 27. BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellites add very high-resolution 35-centimeter imaging capability to the company’s high-cadence, low-latency data and AI-enabled analytics offerings. (Photo: Rocket Lab)

“Full Stream Ahead”, will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens on May 28th, 2025 UTC.

The mission will launch the next of BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellites to a mid-inclination circular 470km orbit, where it will join the remainder of the company’s constellation delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics for daily intelligence operations.

“Full Stream Ahead” is the second in a series of four Electron launches booked by BlackSky to deploy its Gen-3 satellites to orbit this year, and the tenth overall launch for the company making Electron the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 61°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 17mph.