🇳🇿Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1
Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, New Zealand
Country
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Region
Oceania
Established
2016
Launches / Year
15-20
Coordinates
-39.2615° S, 177.8649° E
About
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.
Key Features
World's first private orbital launch site
Purpose-built for high-cadence Electron rocket launches
Southern Hemisphere location enables unique orbital access
Minimal air and sea traffic for flexible launch scheduling
Multiple launch pads for rapid turnaround between missions
Rockets That Launch Here
Companies Operating Here
Orbit Types
Notable Launches
It's a Test (2017) — First Electron launch from Mahia
Still Testing (2018) — First Electron to reach orbit
CAPSTONE (2022) — NASA pathfinder for Lunar Gateway
100th Electron launch milestone achieved
Multiple NRO national security missions