DARPA in Orbit
DARPA's Experimental Satellite Now in Orbit Source: Rocket Lab's Launch of DARPA Satellite New Zealand's Rocket Lab The Pentagon's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - just launched an experimental satellite that it hopes will open new possibilities around radio communications. A New Zealand based startup Rocket Lab performed the successful launch, its first for DARPA. Experimental Satellite Testing The satellite is designed to test out a new type of "membrane reflective-array antenna". The purpose is to improve communications in small spacecraft. Electron Rocket Lab is a new comer in the space launch business, starting in 2013. Its rocket Electron lifted off from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. The company is building an impressive portfolio. In November 2018, Rocket Lab put six customer satellites into orbit. It then worked with NASA on a first of a kind mission called the Venture Class Launch Services program. And now, its Elec...