Catch Me If You Can
Electron
Rocket Lab Ltd
Mission
Catch Me If You Can
Type: Earth Science
Launch Cost: $6,000,000
The payload is a science research satellite by space systems provider OHB Sweden for the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA). The Mesospheric Airglow/Aerosol Tomography and Spectroscopy (MATS) satellite is the basis for the SNSA’s science mission to investigate atmospheric waves and better understand how the upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere interacts with wind and weather patterns closer to the ground. MATS was originally due to fly on a Russian launch service before the mission was manifested on Rocket Lab’s Electron.
Trajectory
The trajectory is unavailable. Check back for updates.
Location
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B
Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
33 rockets have launched from Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
Rocket
Electron – Rocket Lab Ltd
- Family: Electron
- Length: 18 m
- Diameter: 1.2 m
- Launch Mass: 13 T
- Low Earth Orbit Capacity: 300 kg
The Electron was manufactured by Rocket Lab Ltd with the first launch on 2017-05-25. Electron has 32 successful launches and 3 failed launches with a total of 35 launches. 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.
Core Landing
Helicopter capture of the Electron first stage was not achieved.
South Pacific – PAC
Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
Helicopter Catch – HC
The first stage is caught by a helicopter while slowly descending towards the sea under a parachute.
Agency
Rocket Lab Ltd – RL
- Type: Commercial
- Abbreviation: RL
- Administration: CEO: Peter Beck
- Founded: 2006
- Launchers: Electron
- Country: USA
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. Electron currently launches from only Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand however a second launch complex in the US is under development.
