Electron (Rocket Lab)
The Electron is a non-reusable, active launch vehicle manufactured by Rocket Lab (established in 2006). It undertook its inaugural launch on 05/25/2017.
Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
Electron Specifications
| Length | 18 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.2 m |
| Stages | 2-3 |
| Launch Mass | 13 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 162 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 300 kg |
| SSO Capacity | 225 kg |
| Launch Cost | $6,000,000 |
Electron Launch Record
| Total Launches | 97 |
|---|---|
| Successful Launches | 93 |
| Failed Launches | 4 |
| Pending Launches | 57 |
| Consecutive Successful Launches | 56 |
Electron Landing Record
| Attempted Landings | 9 |
|---|---|
| Successful Landings | 7 |
| Failed Landings | 2 |
| Consecutive Successful Landings | 4 |
| Fastest Turnaround | 21 hrs 55 min |
Manufacturer
CEO: Peter Beck
Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.