Rocket Lab has successfully completed its first mission in almost four months, with a launch on Thursday afternoon from the Māhai Peninsular near Gisborne going smoothly.

The company last week delayed the launch – which was first since it listed on the United States’ Nasdaq stock market in August – because of a suspect sensor reading.

Rocket Lab confirmed shortly after 5pm that the two observation satellites owned by regular commercial customer BlackSky that were on broad its Electron rocket had been successfully deployed.

Rocket Lab used helicopter to shadow the first-stage rocket body of the Electron as it parachuted down into the Pacific Ocean.

That is in preparation for future attempts to snag rocket bodies by helicopter before they hit the sea, making it more likely more parts will be able to be reused in future launches.

Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck said the company was excited about being able to move on to that next stage next year.

Thousands of investors now have skin in the game as shareholders in the Kiwi-founded launch company, which is now structured as a US firm.

Covid restrictions forced Rocket Lab to delay launches planned for September and October.

However, the company has been active on the corporate front, continuing to secure launch contracts and research funds, and last week agreed to buy satellite hardware company Planetary Systems Corporation for up to US$81.4 million (NZ$116m) in cash and shares.

In October, it bought Colorado-based space navigation company Advanced Solutions for US$40m.