Rocket Lab Electron

<p>Electron is a two-stage, partially <a href="/facts/Reusable_launch_vehicle/j0WC10op">reusable</a> orbital <a href="/facts/Launch_vehicle/g1GCGFJB">launch vehicle</a> developed by <a href="/facts/Rocket_Lab/o5Wlgg6P">Rocket Lab</a>, an American aerospace company with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. Servicing the commercial <a href="/facts/Small_satellite/vXN5EwvX">small satellite</a> launch market, it is the third most launched <a href="/facts/Small-lift_launch_vehicle/aXBdfESc">small-lift launch vehicle</a> in history. Its <a href="/facts/Rutherford_(rocket_engine)/QIjcRLkV">Rutherford engines</a> are the first <a href="/facts/Electric-pump-fed_engine/AjVGSvJC">electric-pump-fed engine</a> to power an orbital-class rocket. Electron is often flown with a kickstage or Rocket Lab's <a href="/facts/Rocket_Lab_Photon/98mNG4qF">Photon</a> spacecraft. Although the rocket was designed to be <a href="/facts/Expendable_launch_system/CaW43W5z">expendable</a>, Rocket Lab has recovered the first stage twice and is working towards the capability of <a href="/facts/Reusable_launch_system/j0WC10op">reusing</a> the booster. The Flight 26 (F26) booster has featured the first helicopter catch recovery attempt. Rocket Lab has, however, abandoned the idea of catching Electron.
</p><p>In December 2016, Electron completed <a href="/facts/Flight_qualify/CQe7LYg2">flight qualification</a>. The first rocket was launched on 25 May 2017, reaching space but not achieving orbit due to a glitch in communication equipment on the ground. During its second flight on 21 January 2018, Electron reached orbit and deployed three <a href="/facts/CubeSat/jL2IpYKd">CubeSats</a>. The first commercial launch of Electron, and the third launch overall, occurred on 11 November 2018. Since then, Electron has launched successfully 59 times, with an additional 4 failures, for a grand total of 63 launches.
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Rocket Lab Electron open-in-new

Rocket Lab Electron