Rocket Lab Accomplishes First Launch for NASA

On 16 December 2018,NASA contractor Rocket Lab successfully launched and deployed into orbit a payload of CubeSats for the agency.The launch was from New Zealand on the company's Electron rocket.This shows how,with yet another competitor in the launch business, the spaceflight industry is experiencing massive growth, technically and geographically.
The launch took place at Rocket Lab's Launch Complex One on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula.It was the first time CubeSats have launched for NASA on a dedicated rocket for small payloads,as opposed to a ride-sharing arrangement.
The CubeSats of ELaNa XIX will explore such topics as high energy particle measurement in Earth's radiation belt; navigation plans for exo-planet implementation;and radiation shielding.