Electron
A two-stage small-lift rocket purpose-built for dedicated small-satellite missions.
Flight record
About Electron
Electron is a small orbital launch vehicle from Rocket Lab, built around carbon-composite propellant tanks and nine Rutherford engines whose turbopumps are driven by electric motors rather than a gas generator — a novel approach that simplifies the engine. It is one of the most frequently-flown small launchers in the world.
Designed for dedicated rideshare and bespoke small-satellite missions, Electron launches from New Zealand and Virginia. Rocket Lab has also flown booster-recovery experiments, catching and refurbishing first stages with the goal of reuse.
Flight history
Frequently asked questions
Specifications
- Height
- 18 m
- Diameter
- 1.2 m
- Launch mass
- 13 kg
- Payload to
- 300 kg
- Payload to
- 225 kg
- Thrust at liftoff
- 162 kN
- Cost per launch
- $6M
- Reusable
- No
Key dates
- First flight
- May 25, 2017
Official links
Electron launches
Every upcoming and past Electron launch — live countdowns, mission details and launch history.
Upcoming Launches
The Grain Goddess Provides (iQPS Launch 7)
Jun 30, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
LOXSAT 1
Jul 17, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
StriX Launch 10
Jul 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Aspera
Aug 15, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
StriX Launch 11
Aug 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
StriX Launch 12
Oct 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
VICTUS HAZE Puma
Dec 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
iQPS Launch 8
Dec 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
BlackSky Gen-3 9
Dec 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
iQPS Launch 11
Dec 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
BlackSky Gen-3 6
Dec 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
HASTE | Leidos-5
Dec 31, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Previous Launches
Viva La StriX (StriX Launch 9)
May 22, 2026, 9:33 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Kakushin Rising (JAXA Rideshare)
Apr 23, 2026, 3:09 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Bubbles
Apr 22, 2026, 1:36 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Daughter Of The Stars (LEO-PNT Pathfinder A)
Mar 28, 2026, 9:14 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Eight Days A Week (StriX Launch 8)
Mar 20, 2026, 6:10 PM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Insight At Speed Is A Friend Indeed (BlackSky Gen-3 4)
Mar 5, 2026, 11:53 PM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
That's Not A Knife (DART AE)
Feb 28, 2026, 12:00 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A)
Jan 30, 2026, 1:21 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
The Cosmos Will See You Now (Open Cosmos Constellation Launch 1)
Jan 22, 2026, 10:52 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
The Wisdom God Guides (iQPS Launch 6)
Dec 21, 2025, 6:36 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Don't Be Such A Square (STP-S30)
Dec 18, 2025, 5:03 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Raise and Shine (RAISE-4)
Dec 14, 2025, 3:09 AM
Rocket Lab
Electron
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
