Rocket Details

In-depth specifications and launch history

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Electron

Electron

About This Rocket

RUD at T + 139s - second stage overpressure event due to defective COPV strut heim joint

Physical Specifications

Height18 m
Diameter1.2 m
Launch Mass13 kg
Stages2 - 3

Performance

LEO Capacity300 kg
GTO CapacityN/A kg
Thrust162 kN
Launch Cost$6,000,000

Manufacturer

Rocket Lab logo

Rocket Lab

(RL)

CommercialUSAFounded 2006

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.

Total Launches

66

Success: 62Failed: 4

Success Rate

93.9%

Landing Success

77.8%

7/9 attempts

AdministratorCEO: Peter Beck
Vehicle FamilyElectron
Consecutive Successes25

Technical Information

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.

ReusableNo

Launch Statistics

Maiden FlightMay 25, 2017
Total Launches66
Success: 62Failed: 4
Landing Success7/9