Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (Mahia)
ActiveAs of 23 August 2026, the next launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (Mahia) is Electron | LOXSAT 1 on a Electron, operated by Rocket Lab, scheduled for 31 August 2026 (time to be confirmed) from Unknown Pad.
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (Mahia) is the first private orbital launch site in the Southern Hemisphere and among the world's most active small-launch facilities. Electron has a proven record of rapid-cadence dedicated smallsat launches.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 39.2622°S
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Mahia at 39.2622°S sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Mahia
From 39.2622°S, Mahia can reach 4 Starlink inclination shells: 43°, 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).
Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Mahia would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±57° (primarily) — much of the populated world. In the hours after launch — before satellites raise their orbits — a tight train of 20–60 bright dots crosses the sky roughly every 90 minutes. Use OrbitalNodes' Starlink tracker for exact train pass times.
Mahia: the first private orbital site
Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula is the world's first private orbital launch site, where the small Electron rocket pioneered genuinely frequent dedicated small-satellite launch.
A remote peninsula with open ocean to the south and east, it can reach an unusually wide spread of orbital inclinations from a single pad.
Mahia — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Mahia and who operates it?
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (Mahia) is located at 39.2622°S, 177.8649°E in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. It is owned and operated by Rocket Lab. The site has conducted approximately 55 orbital launches since its first in 2018.
What rockets launch from Mahia?
Current vehicles operating from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (Mahia) include Electron, HASTE (hypersonic). Primary customers are Rocket Lab, launching Small satellites, NASA CAPSTONE, commercial constellations.
What orbits can Mahia reach?
At 39.2622°S, Mahia's minimum achievable inclination is 39.3° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The site can reach orbits between roughly 39° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Mahia?
Yes — Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (Mahia) hosts a high cadence of approximately 15 orbital launches per year. Check the operator's website for public viewing arrangements and launch windows.
What satellites can I see that were launched from Mahia?
Satellites regularly launched from Mahia include Small satellites, NASA CAPSTONE, commercial constellations. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Mahia built at this latitude?
Mahia at 39.2622°S was positioned to access the full range of low-Earth orbits including the ISS corridor. The site has been operational since 2018.
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