T-ZERO Launch tracker

Aspera launch time, date and countdown

TBD Jan 29, 2027 (time TBD)

Countdown

Launch day: Jan 29, 2027 (UTC). The launch time has not been set yet.

Launch details

Date (UTC)
(time TBD)
Status
TBD To Be Determined
Provider
Rocket Lab (Commercial)
Rocket
Electron
Mission
Aspera
Mission type
Astrophysics
Orbit
Low Earth Orbit
Pad
Unknown Pad
Location
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Country code
NZL

Times can change. Central time is America/Chicago (CST/CDT). Source: Launch Library 2.

About this launch

Aspera is a launch of the Electron rocket operated by Rocket Lab. It is targeted for January 29, 2027 (UTC date); the exact launch time has not been set yet. The launch site is Unknown Pad, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand. The target orbit is Low Earth Orbit. Mission type: Astrophysics. Launch Library 2 lists the current status as “To Be Determined”.

Mission description

Aspera houses an ultraviolet telescope and will examine hot gas in the intergalactic medium, thought to be contributing to the birth of stars and planets. Aspera will be the first NASA astrophysics mission to gather and map these ultraviolet light signatures, potentially unlocking a deeper understanding of the origins of stars, planets, and life in the universe.

How to watch

When Launch Library 2 lists an official YouTube webcast, T-ZERO embeds it here (click play to load the YouTube player). We do not host video ourselves; the stream stays on YouTube. Launch times often move, so reload this page for the latest schedule. External links below if the player fails.

No per-launch YouTube stream is listed yet. Try the provider’s channel, which often carries the webcast when it starts:

What to expect from Aspera

Aspera is set to fly on an Electron from Unknown Pad, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, with Rocket Lab as the launch provider.

Target orbit: Low Earth Orbit. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is the region up to roughly 2,000 km above Earth, where crewed spacecraft and many satellites operate.

Launch Library 2 lists the mission type as Astrophysics.

Rocket and provider in our data

T-ZERO currently lists 15 launches of the Electron: 4 completed (all 4 successful); 11 upcoming. This is the 2nd of 2 upcoming Electron launches that have a confirmed date. Across all rockets, Rocket Lab appears on 15 of the 149 launches in our data (10%), using 1 rocket configuration. Unknown Pad is listed for 7 other launches in our data. Treat the numbers as a recent snapshot: T-ZERO stores about two months of past launches plus the upcoming schedule.

Timing

Only the launch day (UTC) is set so far. Providers normally announce the exact time closer to launch, and the day itself can still move. The status “TBD” means the launch date has not been determined.

Watching

Mahia, New Zealand allows only limited public viewing (registration, tickets or a few specific spots). Access rules, safety notes and spots are in our Mahia, New Zealand viewing guide. Launch Library 2 lists 1 official webcast link for this launch; it opens on the provider’s own channel.

Where to watch this launch in person

Public viewing: Limited Mahia, New Zealand. The launch site is on private farmland with no public access, and roads close on launch days.

Crowd estimate for this launch: Low No adjustments. An estimate from launch type and time, not a measurement.

Nearest viewing spots we have checked:

Access rules, all viewing spots, closure links and tips for Mahia, New Zealand

Frequently asked questions about Aspera

When is the Aspera launch?

It is targeted for January 29, 2027 (UTC date); the launch time has not been set yet.

Where does Aspera launch from?

Launch Library 2 lists Unknown Pad, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand. That is part of Mahia, New Zealand; T-ZERO has a viewing guide for it at /where-to-watch/mahia/.

Which rocket launches Aspera?

Electron from Rocket Lab. In T-ZERO’s data the Electron has 15 launches: 4 completed and 11 upcoming.

Where can I watch the Aspera launch live?

Launch Library 2 lists 1 official webcast link for this launch, which opens on the provider’s own channel. When a YouTube link is listed, this page can embed the official player; otherwise use the external webcast links. T-ZERO does not host the video file itself.

Which orbit is Aspera headed to?

Launch Library 2 lists the target orbit as Low Earth Orbit.

Reminders

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