[[Home|🏠]] <span style="color: LightSlateGray">></span> [[Hardware]] <span style="color: LightSlateGray">></span> Electron ## Summary Electron is a two-stage, partially reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by Rocket Lab. Electron services the commercial small satellite launch market. It's the third most launched small-lift launch vehicle in history. Its [[#Rutherford Engine]] engines are the first electric-pump-fed engine to power an orbital-class rocket. Electron is often flown with a [[#Kick Stage]] or Rocket Lab's [[Photon]] spacecraft. 🚀 https://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/electron/ 🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab_Electron ![[Pasted image 20250112153524.jpg]] ## Specifications 📊 [Payload User's Guide](https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Electron-Payload-User-Guide-7.0-v6.pdf) | Spec | Value | | -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | Height | 18m / 59ft | | **Diameter** | 1.2m / 3.9ft | | **Stages** | 2+ Kick Stage | | **Wet** **Mass** | 13,000 kg / 28,660 lb | | **Payload to LEO** | 320 kg / 705.479 lb | | **Structure** | Carbon Composite | | **First Stage Propulsion** | x9 Sea Level [[Rutherford]] Engines | | Second Stage Propulsion | x1 Vacuum Optimized [[Rutherford]] Engine | | **Propellant** | LOX / Kerosene | | **ASP** | ~$8.4 Million (~28k / kg) | ## Performance Electron is designed to place payloads of up to 200 kg into a circular SSO at 500 km altitude, but can also accommodate a wide range of different payload and orbit requirements. ![[Pasted image 20250711223143.png]] ## Propulsion **First Stage**: x9 [[Rutherford]] **Second Stage**: x1 [[Rutherford]] (Vacuum Optimized) ![[Rutherford]] ## Kick Stage ### Summary Rocket Lab has also developed an optional third stage, known as the "kick stage", designed to circularize the orbits of its satellite payloads. The stage also puts satellites into a more accurate orbit in less time. The Electron kick stage is equipped with a single [[Curie]] engine that is capable of performing multiple burns, uses an unspecified "green" bipropellant, and is 3D printed. It was first used during Electron's second flight. The kick stage can transport up to 150 kg (330 lb) of payload. Rocket Lab has also developed a derivative spacecraft of the kick stage, [[Photon]], which was originally intended for use on lunar and interplanetary missions. Photon has since evolved into four distinct variants for different mission profiles: [[Photon]], [[Pioneer]], [[Lightning]], and [[Explorer]]. - Deployment of payloads at multiple planes/inclinations - Higher altitude deployment - Hosted payload support - Multiple trajectory changes - Sustained low altitude orbits - Deorbiting payloads to eliminate space debris ![[Pasted image 20250112153620.jpg]] ### Specifications | Specification | Value | | ------------------ | ---------------------- | | Height | 405 mm | | Diameter | 1.2 m | | Dry Mass | 40 kg | | Material | Carbon Composite | | Engine | [[Curie]] | | Propellant | Liquid Bi-Propellant | | Propellant Storage | Carbon Composite Tanks | | Thrusters | 6 RCS | | Thrust | 120 N | ## Development - Electron was developed for only $100 million ($123 million inflation-adjusted), putting development costs on par with Falcon 1's $90 million ($131 million inflation-adjusted) - Electron was developed in 2.8 years and is the fasted commercially developed rocket to reach 50 launches (7.1 years after first launch). <div class="responsive-video"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C0STPK3g9c8" title="Is Rocket Lab the new SpaceX? The Electron VS Falcon" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> ## Fairing Configurations Electron can support multiple fairing configurations ![[Pasted image 20250218222249.png]]