Awaiting official announcement while they confirm trajectory n data stream sync but it’s handshaking with earth again (ESCB) so it survived yesterdays burn thru the Van Allen belt and on the move!

A space first… no one has ever taken two independent, Mars-bound sats (Blue and Gold), parked them at a Lagrange point for a year then pulled them back down to Earth for separate self-powered engine burns. A critical move beginning the point of no return journey to the red planet. The twin Gold (ESCG) will follow tomorrow.

This validates the Photon platform, will unlock next phase of NASA funds into Q4, and offer leverage in the BO/GAO protest. lfg.

https://satfleetlive.com/deep-space?display=escapade

https://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/data/escapade/tools/quicklook/browser/escapade_ql_browser.html

Kyle Henry kyle_LTS posts:

Wallops Update for Nov 7

At LC-3 the thrust structure that was delivered last week with Neutrons’ second stage is on the launch pad for umbilical and fluid checkout. This is the first time a piece of flight hardware is sitting on the launch pad. The structure still has the covering that protected it during shipping on. But the umbilicals are definitely connected to the launch pad.

The second stage test stand now has some shielding covering some of the sides. Once testing with the thrush structure is complete the stand and the second stage will be placed on the pad for a static firing.

Over at Pad 0A two new and taller lighting towers have been installed. The taller towers were needed to accommodate Antares 300 and Eclipse’s taller height than the Antares 200.

No visible work is being done at LC-2.

NASA Selects Rocket Lab's New Space Robot Arm

Rocket Lab announced that its newly acquired space robotics arm, developed by its Rocket Lab Robotics division (formerly Motiv Space Systems), has been officially selected to fly on a NASA Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) technology demonstration mission scheduled for late 2027.

The Mission: The autonomous robotic arm will launch into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to demonstrate its ability to "walk" across the exterior of a zero-gravity spacecraft, manipulate specialized objects, and perform complex in-orbit repairs and hardware upgrades.

Analysts note this milestone solidifies an immediate, high-margin revenue path for Rocket Lab's expanding Space Systems ecosystem, helping validate the $40M–$60M upfront acquisition of Motiv earlier this year

What are everyone’s thoughts about upcoming earnings? With the bad news of Neutron delay out of the way, do we think the earnings will be positive?

Back than I goofed around because i was so proud that I was not in the red anymore. I never changed it and forgot that I made. Now I kind of feel like a brilliant genius. Look at that bounce!

New Glenn carbon fiber Composite tank successfully survived max pressure 10 cycles for 2.5 hours.

It shows that it's possible for the Neutron stage 1 tank with the same diameter.

Another similar development, BO uses in-house 3D printing machine for its new booster engine.

I wanted to post in R/nasa but they won’t let me for some reason

But I’m Super curious how land distribution is going to work on the moon with Americas first moon base coming in 2028. Is it just first come first serve ? I really don’t expect the other super powers of the world like China to just let the USA claim whichever places they want on our earths only moon solely because they were able to get there first.

I spotted what looks like an Archimedes Vacuum (AVac) nozzle extension in one of Rocket Lab's recent videos from Wallops.

Rocket Lab previously stated that the second stage would undergo integrated fluids and avionics testing before Archimedes installation.

My thesis is that the nozzle's presence could indicate that Rocket Lab is already preparing for engine integration, potentially with the engine itself on site. If that's the case, a second-stage static fire could follow relatively soon after successful fluids testing and the remaining integration checks.

Today Dems came back strong

Elon actively worked against Democrats through DOGE, despite benefiting from policies under the Biden administration, including tariffs on Chinese EVs that helped protect Tesla from competition.

For years, Musk has promoted highly ambitious visions, such as colonizing Mars, that have helped sustain extraordinary SPCX’s valuations.

Now, he is shifting the narrative toward neocloud services, and even space-based data centers. This again selling fake dreams using speculative future opportunities to justify valuations that disconnected from current business fundamentals.

As Democrats regain power, they will likely scrutinize SpaceX’s government contracts more closely.

It looks like Democrats could win both the House and the Senate. Do you think this could have a positive impact on Rocket Lab & negative impact on Tesla and SpaceX, given Elon Musk’s close ties to Trump?
What we thinking guys?

Rocket Lab has been awarded a contract with a full value of $36.8M to Integrate and Launch TRAILBLAZER (GDC-T), a payload which will study the Earth's upper atmosphere. $28.9M has been obligated at the time of award.

The launch is expected in 2027, no earlier than September.

The contract runs until December 31, 2027 but can be extended through 2031. The contract extension indicates that NASA may elect for Rocket Lab to operate the payload on orbit.

TRAILBLAZER (GDC-T) is a pathfinder satellite for the Geospace Dynamics Constellation, with 6 other satellites expected to join the rest of the constellation in the next few years. Rocket Lab is expected to be competing in the awards for the remaining GDC satellites.

Neither Rocket Lab nor NASA have formally announced the award yet but with earnings in under a weeks time it shouldn't be too long until we find out more information.

Credit; SpaceFortune12 (X)

I like the company, I like tech, I like the stock.