Mahia Launch Complex
Mahia Launch Complex (Launch Complex 1, or LC-1) is Rocket Lab's primary launch site, located on the Mahia Peninsula on the East Cape of New Zealand's North Island.
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
- Ownership
- Private
Quick Facts
About Mahia Launch Complex
Mahia Launch Complex (Launch Complex 1, or LC-1) is Rocket Lab's primary launch site, located on the Mahia Peninsula on the East Cape of New Zealand's North Island. Opened in 2017, it was the world's first private orbital launch complex and the first in the Southern Hemisphere to successfully reach orbit. The remote coastal location provides clear over-ocean flight paths for a wide range of orbital inclinations and avoids populated downrange areas. LC-1 consists of two pads (LC-1A and LC-1B), enabling back-to-back Electron launches without pad refurbishment downtime.
The site has supported dozens of Electron launches with a high cadence that no other small launch provider has matched. New Zealand's unique space launch regulation under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017 governs operations at the site.
Signals
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-05
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Frequently asked about Mahia Launch Complex
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Mahia Launch Complex founded?
- Mahia Launch Complex was founded in 2016 in New Zealand.
- Where is Mahia Launch Complex headquartered?
- Mahia Launch Complex is headquartered in Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
- What does Mahia Launch Complex do?
- Mahia Launch Complex (Launch Complex 1, or LC-1) is Rocket Lab's primary launch site, located on the Mahia Peninsula on the East Cape of New Zealand's North Island. Opened in 2017, it was the world's first private orbital launch complex and the first in the Southern Hemisphere to successfully reach orbit. The remote co…
- Is Mahia Launch Complex a public or private company?
- Mahia Launch Complex is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
- What sector does Mahia Launch Complex operate in?
- Mahia Launch Complex works in spaceports and Launch services.
Sources
The structured fields on this page (founding year, location, sector, status, listing) and the profile text are drawn from the sources below. How profiles are drafted and checked is described in our methodology.
- Official website (www.rocketlabcorp.com)
- Wikidata / Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-09-05
- Merged duplicate entry rocket-lab-lc1 · retrieved 2026-09-05
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Mahia Launch Complex is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.