This is a community to discuss all things Rocket Lab, the US/New Zealand aerospace company. Thanks to Dave for polling the community and setting things up!

Here are some Rocket Lab facts:

  • The company was founded in 2006 in New Zealand. In 2013, they moved their registration to the U.S. for funding/growth reasons, and now operate launch pads and manufacturing facilities in both countries.
  • Their workhorse launch vehicle is Electron, a two-stage kerolox rocket capable of delivering 300 kg to Low Earth Orbit.
  • Electron is the first orbital rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines.
  • They are developing a much larger launch vehicle called Neutron, which will be a methalox rocket capable of delivering 13 tonnes to LEO.
  • The first launch of Neutron could happen by the end of this year.

Upcoming Electron launches:

  • March 12th/13th: Owl Night Long, launching out of Launch Complex 1, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand
  • March 20th: Live and Let Fly, launching out of Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
  • NET April: NeonSat-1 & ACS3, launching out of Launch Complex 1, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand

I’ll create dedicated launch threads with more info for each as we get closer.

Big thanks again to Dave for setting this up. Looking forward to growing this community! Suggestions and feedback are welcome!

Edit: Thanks also to absGeekNZ for volunteering to co-moderate this community.