Make It Rain

Mission

Make It Rain

Type: Dedicated Rideshare

Rideshare mission for Spaceflight. Electron will launch seven spacecraft, including a commercial Earth-observing microsatellite for BlackSky, two CubeSats for U.S. Special Operations Command, a pair of tiny prototype data relay nodes for Swarm Technologies, a student-built payload from Australia called ACRUX-1, and a satellite whose identity and owner remain a secret. The mission is named "Make it Rain" in a nod to the high volume of rainfall in Seattle, where Spaceflight is headquartered, as well in New Zealand where Launch Complex 1 is located.

Location

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A

Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

17 launches have been at this location.

Rocket

Electron

Length: 18 meters
Diameter: 1.2 meters
First Launched: May 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.

The Electron rocket has been launched a total of 16 times with 14 successful and 2 failed launches.

Agency

Rocket Lab Ltd

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: RL
Administration: CEO: Peter Beck
Founded: 2006
Launchers: Electron
Spacecraft:
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 they are currently looking into developing a facility in the US.