Rocket Lab · Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, New Zealand
Launch Pads
2 (LC-1A, LC-1B)as of [1]Annual Launches
10–12 (Electron)as of [1]Max Payload (LEO)
320 kg to 500 km SSO (Electron)as of [1]Established
2016
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula is the world's first private orbital launch site and one of the most active small-launch facilities globally. It supports Rocket Lab's Electron vehicle with a high launch cadence, serving commercial, government, and defense customers with dedicated small-satellite missions. The site comprises two Electron pads (LC-1A, LC-1B) plus integration and range-control infrastructure on private peninsula land leased from Maori iwi partners.
| Region | Oceania |
| Country | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| Coordinates | -39.2615° N, 177.8649° E |
| Ownership | Private |
| Parent Entity | Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) |
| Regulatory Regime | New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) under Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017; bilateral TSA with U.S. |
| Latitude Advantage | 39.3°S — wide inclination envelope including high-i SSO and retrograde access |
| Azimuth Range | Approximately northeast to southeast (over open Pacific) |
| Website | https://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/launch-complex-1/ |
Anchor Tenants
Active Users
Strategic Value
Only privately-owned, privately-licensed orbital range in the Southern Hemisphere. Provides RKLB sovereign launch cadence independent of U.S. range scheduling.
Recent Activity
50+ cumulative Electron launches from Mahia as of 2026; HASTE hypersonic test flights expanded for DoD customers
2026
Continued high-cadence Electron operations alongside U.S. LC-2
2027
Potential Neutron support operations under evaluation (primary Neutron site is Wallops)