Electron

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket External link to Rocket Lab

Electron launch

The Electron selected to launch a mission to the Moon in 2021.

Rocket Lab hope to one day send a micro-sat mission to Venus using its 'Photon' third stage.

The 55-foot-tall (17-meter) Electron Rocket is capable of delivering payloads upto 150 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit.

Electron Rocket launch from NZ Electron Rocket launch from NZ

Electron Rocket

Electron is a two-stage launch vehicle which uses Rocket Lab's Rutherford liquid engines on both stages, The first stage uses nine Rutherford engines.

The vehicle is capable of delivering payloads of 150 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit, the target range for the growing small satellite market. The projected cost is less than US$5 million per launch.

The cheapest deal is a small cubesat on a rideshare option - prices start at $77,000 (£59,280).

Test flights of its Electron started on the 25th May 2017 from its LC1 in New Zealand

RocketLab hope to launch a microsat to the Moon in 2020/21 on their new Photon satellite platform that sit on top of the Electron Rocket.

As well as the USA Rocket Lab also have its "Launch Complex 1" located on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula and Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Flight Facility, located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, US.

Moon Express' hopes for the Google Lunar XPrize ride on the Electron rocket at the end of 2017.

CEO Peter Beck founded Rocket Lab in 2006

Peter Beck

In 2009, Peter led the development and launch of Atea 1, with Rocket Lab becoming the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.

Rutherford rocket Engine

3D-printed 22 kN (5,000 lbf) liquid rocket engine

The Rutherford engine pumps are uniquely powered by battery-powered electric motors rather than a gas generator, expander, or preburner.

The engine is fabricated largely by 3D printing using electron beam melting by electron beam layers of metal powder in a high vacuum, rather than a laser.

ELaNa 19 Launch - 12/16/2018

As of late 2019 RocketLab hope to make their Eltron Rocket's 1st stage reusable

Catching rockets with helicopters

To SEE more Electron Rocket Launches here is an external link to Rocket Labs Youtube