Behind the scenes at Earth’s most beautiful rocket launch site

Enlarge / Whatever angle you'd prefer, New Zealand offers some pretty good views... (credit: Trevor Mahlmann)

MAHIA PENINSULA, New Zealand-Not a blade of grass longer than the rest, a red "Remove Before Flight" tag unchecked, or a single Kiwi (be it bird or engineer) out of place: Rocket Lab's Launch Complex-1 looks like an industry brochure come to life (betterin fact). Located at the southern tip of the picturesque Mahia Peninsula on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, LC-1 is currently the only operational Rocket Lab launch site where the Electron vehicle-Rocket Lab's low-cost small satellite launch vehicle-takes flight.

Rocket Lab just took advantage of the latest window at LC-1 on August 19. But back in December 2018, fellow rocket launch photographer Brady Kenniston had the exclusive opportunity to photograph Rocket Lab's first NASA mission, ElaNa-19, from this private launch site. This launch was going to be Rocket Lab's most important mission to date because, as the leader in the small satellite industry, they had an opportunity to show NASA (and the world) what they are made of. If successful, it could lead to future business from other small satellites in need of a ride to space-not to mention, the company would earn the endorsement of NASA Launch Services as an eligible vehicle to fly future NASA small-satellite science payloads.

Luckily, Brady graciously invited me to join along for this trip of a lifetime. And I had my camera and notebook in tow.

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