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  • Trevor Mahlmann/Rocket Lab

    Rocket Lab launches NASA's first dedicated cubesat mission

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    12.16.2018

    Rocket Lab isn't quite done establishing firsts. The company has successfully launched ElaNa-19 (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites), NASA's first cubesat mission to get a dedicated ride to space. Until now, the agency's tiny satellites have piggybacked on missions carrying larger payloads. It's also the first Venture Class Launch Services mission for the company, and the first time Rocket Lab has conducted two launches that are relatively close together. Its initial commercial flight, "It's Business Time," lifted off five weeks ago.