{
  "id": "rocket-lab-electron",
  "title": "Electron",
  "maker": "Rocket Lab",
  "maker_type": "Commercial",
  "kind": "mission",
  "category": "launchers",
  "page": "https://spacemushroom.com/space-products/rocket-lab-electron/",
  "website": "https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2015/04/15/rocket-lab-to-use-3-d-printed-engines-for-electron-rocket/",
  "summary": "Rocket Lab small launcher with a carbon composite structure and 3D printed Rutherford engines. Sources do not name the engine metal.",
  "application": "A small two-stage launcher for dedicated flights of small satellites. Its carbon composite body and 3D printed electric-pump engines cut inert mass, which matters for a rocket that lifts only a few hundred kilograms.",
  "story": {
    "headline": "Electron is Rocket Lab's small rocket, with a carbon composite body and 3D-printed engines driven by electric pumps.",
    "intro": [
      "Electron is a small two-stage rocket for dedicated launches of small satellites. Rocket Lab designs, builds and launches it. Flights leave from Launch Complex-1 in New Zealand and Launch Complex-2 in Virginia. It stands 18 metres tall and 1.2 metres across, and lifts 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit, up from 225.",
      "The whole structure is carbon composite, which Rocket Lab says cuts mass by as much as 40 percent against aluminium. The engines, called Rutherford, have all their primary parts 3D printed, and electric motors driven by lithium-polymer batteries run their pumps. Each engine weighs only 35 kilograms."
    ],
    "built": [
      {
        "title": "Body and tanks",
        "text": "Electron's structure is a carbon fibre composite monocoque, a shell that carries the loads itself. The casings and tanks are carbon composite, and the tanks hold liquid oxygen and kerosene without a liner. The tanks of each stage share one bulkhead, and the second stage carries about 2,000 kilograms of propellant.",
        "parts": [
          "Vehicle structure",
          "Casings and propellant tanks",
          "Linerless common-bulkhead LOx/kerosene tanks, stage 2"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Rutherford engines",
        "text": "Nine sea-level Rutherford engines power the first stage, each producing 5,600 pounds-force, and one vacuum version powers the second. Every primary part is 3D printed, including the thrust chamber and the main propellant valves, and an engine can be printed in as little as 24 hours. Electromechanical actuators steer each engine.",
        "parts": [
          "Rutherford sea-level engines (x9)",
          "Engine primary parts",
          "Regeneratively cooled thrust chamber (additively manufactured)",
          "Main propellant valves (additively manufactured)",
          "Electromechanical thrust vector actuators (two axes)"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Electric pumps",
        "text": "Brushless electric motors drive the propellant pumps in place of gas-generator turbomachinery, and can reach 90 percent efficiency. Lithium-polymer batteries power the motors. Two battery packs are jettisoned in flight to cut mass when a third takes over.",
        "parts": [
          "Brushless DC electric motors driving the propellant pumps",
          "High-voltage battery packs (HVBs), stage 2 jettisonable",
          "Engine pump power"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Second stage and Kick Stage",
        "text": "The second stage burns for about five minutes. The Kick Stage, a third stage, is 405 millimetres tall, 1.2 metres across and weighs 40 kilograms dry. It has carbon composite tanks and Rocket Lab's Curie engine, which is 3D printed, pressure-fed and restartable.",
        "parts": [
          "Rutherford vacuum engine (x1)",
          "Kick Stage structure",
          "Kick Stage carbon composite propellant tanks",
          "Curie engine"
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Fairing and payload",
        "text": "The fairing is a composite split clamshell, 1.2 metres across and 2.5 metres tall, with environmental control for the payload. At separation each half rotates away on a hinge, released by pneumatic unlocking and springs. Satellites mount on a honeycomb composite payload plate, or in Rocket Lab's Maxwell CubeSat dispensers.",
        "parts": [
          "Payload fairing (composite split clam shell)",
          "Fairing separation system (pneumatic unlocking, springs, hinge)",
          "Payload plate (honeycomb composite, about 1 m diameter)",
          "Maxwell CubeSat dispensers"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "materials": [
      {
        "name": "Carbon composite",
        "mid": "carbon-fibre",
        "where": "The whole vehicle structure, the casings and tanks, and the Kick Stage structure and tanks. The fibre and resin are not named."
      },
      {
        "name": "Lithium-polymer batteries",
        "mid": "lithium-polymer-battery",
        "where": "The high-voltage packs that power the electric pump motors. Two are jettisoned in flight."
      },
      {
        "name": "Fibre-reinforced composite",
        "mid": "fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite",
        "where": "The split clamshell payload fairing. Rocket Lab does not name the type."
      },
      {
        "name": "Honeycomb composite",
        "mid": "honeycomb-composite-unstated",
        "where": "The payload plate, about 1 metre across. The face sheet and core materials are not named."
      }
    ],
    "connections": "Nine sea-level Rutherford engines power the first stage, one vacuum Rutherford the second, and a Curie engine drives the Kick Stage. In its most advanced form the Kick Stage becomes Photon, Rocket Lab's satellite bus. Rocket Lab designs and builds the rocket itself. RUAG and Planetary Systems Corp supply payload separation systems. The first launch, in May 2017, failed to reach orbit, and a second followed in January 2018.",
    "unknown": "Rocket Lab's payload guide does not name the metal of the Rutherford engines, the fibre and resin of the composite, or the materials of the interstage, fairing and payload plate. It also names no battery maker and only two separation-system partners, and says nothing about recovery or reuse hardware.",
    "facts": [
      {
        "label": "Height and diameter",
        "value": "18 m tall, 1.2 m diameter"
      },
      {
        "label": "Lift-off mass",
        "value": "13,000 kg"
      },
      {
        "label": "Payload to low Earth orbit",
        "value": "300 kg (up from 225 kg)"
      },
      {
        "label": "Engines",
        "value": "Nine engines on first stage, one on second"
      },
      {
        "label": "Rutherford mass",
        "value": "35 kg each"
      },
      {
        "label": "Rutherford print time",
        "value": "as little as 24 hours per engine"
      }
    ]
  },
  "specifications": [
    {
      "label": "Payload to LEO",
      "value": "300 kg (up from 225 kg)",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacetechasia.com/the-engineering-ingenuity-of-rocket-labs-electron-and-photon/",
      "quote": "from 225 kg to 300 kg to Low Earth Orbit"
    },
    {
      "label": "Engine count",
      "value": "Nine engines on first stage, one on second",
      "source_url": "https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2015/04/15/rocket-lab-to-use-3-d-printed-engines-for-electron-rocket/",
      "quote": "nine engines on the first stage and one on the second"
    },
    {
      "label": "Rutherford mass",
      "value": "35 kg each",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacetechasia.com/the-engineering-ingenuity-of-rocket-labs-electron-and-photon/",
      "quote": "just 35kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Vehicle height and diameter",
      "value": "18 m tall, 1.2 m diameter",
      "source_url": "https://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-EducationGraphics-About-Rocket-Lab-and-Electron.pdf",
      "quote": "Electron is 18m tall and only 1.2m in diameter"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lift-off mass",
      "value": "13,000 kg",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "VEHICLE MASS (LIFT-OFF) 13,000 kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Structure",
      "value": "carbon fibre composite monocoque",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "MATERIAL/STRUCTURE Carbon Fiber Composite/Monocoque"
    },
    {
      "label": "Mass saving from composites",
      "value": "up to 40 percent lighter than aluminium launch vehicle structures",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "The all carbon-composite construction of Electron decreases mass by as much as 40 percent compared with traditional aluminum launch vehicle structures"
    },
    {
      "label": "Nominal payload",
      "value": "200 kg / 440 lbm to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "NOMINAL PAYLOAD 200 kg / 440 lbm To 500 km SSO"
    },
    {
      "label": "Stage 2 burn",
      "value": "about five minutes",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "The Electron Stage 2 has a burn time of approximately five minutes"
    },
    {
      "label": "Stage 2 ignition in the example flight profile",
      "value": "L+162 s at about 82 km",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "STAGE 2 ENGINE IGNITION L + 162 secs Altitude: ~82 km"
    },
    {
      "label": "Rutherford engines flown",
      "value": "130 engines flown to space as of July 2020",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "130 Rutherford engines have been flown to space on Electron as of July 2020."
    },
    {
      "label": "Rutherford print time",
      "value": "as little as 24 hours per engine",
      "source_url": "https://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-EducationGraphics-About-Rocket-Lab-and-Electron.pdf",
      "quote": "be printed in as little as 24-hours"
    },
    {
      "label": "First launch",
      "value": "May 2017, failed to reach orbit; second launch January 2018",
      "source_url": "https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/electron.htm",
      "quote": "The first launch took place in May 2017, but failed to reach orbit."
    },
    {
      "label": "Launch rate",
      "value": "more than 130 launches a year from two launch sites",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "Between our three pads at two launch complexes, Rocket Lab can support more than 130 launches every year."
    },
    {
      "label": "Kick Stage thruster count",
      "value": "6 reaction control thrusters in 2 pods",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
      "quote": "NUMBER OF THRUSTER 6 reaction control thrusters (RCS) (2 pods)"
    }
  ],
  "features": [
    {
      "text": "Engine pumps run on electric motors powered by lithium-polymer batteries",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacetechasia.com/the-engineering-ingenuity-of-rocket-labs-electron-and-photon/",
      "quote": "better lithium polymer batteries"
    },
    {
      "text": "Composite tanks tolerate cryogenic liquid oxygen",
      "source_url": "https://www.spacetechasia.com/the-engineering-ingenuity-of-rocket-labs-electron-and-photon/",
      "quote": "Advanced carbon composite casings and tanks give it a strong and light-weight structure."
    }
  ],
  "parts": [
    {
      "assembly": "Vehicle structure and tanks",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Vehicle structure",
          "material": "Advanced carbon composites",
          "form": "composite",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The structure of the Electron is made from advanced carbon composites.",
          "source_url": "https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/launch-satellite-space-87190/",
          "profile": "carbon-fibre",
          "mid": "carbon-fibre"
        },
        {
          "part": "Casings and propellant tanks",
          "material": "Carbon composite",
          "form": "composite, LOX-compatible",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Advanced carbon composite casings and tanks give it a strong and light-weight structure.",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacetechasia.com/the-engineering-ingenuity-of-rocket-labs-electron-and-photon/",
          "profile": "carbon-fibre",
          "mid": "carbon-fibre"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Rutherford engine",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Engine primary parts",
          "material": null,
          "form": "additive manufactured",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "All primary parts of the oxygen/hydrocarbon engine are 3-D printed.",
          "source_url": "https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2015/04/15/rocket-lab-to-use-3-d-printed-engines-for-electron-rocket/",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null
        },
        {
          "part": "Engine pump power",
          "material": "Lithium-polymer batteries",
          "form": "battery",
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "better lithium polymer batteries",
          "source_url": "https://www.spacetechasia.com/the-engineering-ingenuity-of-rocket-labs-electron-and-photon/",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "lithium-polymer-battery"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Stage 1",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Rutherford sea-level engines (x9)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Rocket Lab",
          "quote": "Electron’s first stage consists of nine sea-level Rutherford engines, linerless common bulkhead tanks for LOx and RP-1, and an interstage.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Stage 1 propulsion, LOx and kerosene, electric-pump fed",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Sea-level thrust per engine",
              "value": "5,600 lbf (24 kN)",
              "quote": "THRUST 5600 LBF Sea Level (Per Engine)",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            },
            {
              "label": "Specific impulse (stage 1)",
              "value": "311 s",
              "quote": "POWER PACK ISP 311 Sec",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            },
            {
              "label": "Where made",
              "value": "designed in-house, built at the Long Beach headquarters in California",
              "quote": "All aspects of the Rutherford engines are completely designed in-house and are manufactured directly at our Long Beach headquarters in California, USA.",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Linerless common-bulkhead LOx/RP-1 tanks (refines the existing carbon-composite tank row)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "linerless common bulkhead tanks for LOx and RP-1",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Stage 1 propellant tanks sharing one bulkhead"
        },
        {
          "part": "Stage 1 interstage with pneumatic pusher separation",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "INTERSTAGE SEPARATION SYSTEM Pneumatic Pusher",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Joins stages 1 and 2 and pushes them apart"
        },
        {
          "part": "Linerless common-bulkhead LOx/RP-1 tanks",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "linerless common bulkhead tanks for LOx and RP-1",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Stage 1 propellant tanks sharing one bulkhead; detail of the current carbon-composite tank row"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Rutherford engine parts",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Brushless DC electric motors driving the propellant pumps",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "making use of brushless DC electric motors and high-performance lithium polymer batteries to drive its propellant pumps",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Replace gas-generator turbomachinery",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Efficiency",
              "value": "can achieve 90 percent efficiency",
              "quote": "but can achieve 90% efficiency",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "High-voltage battery packs (HVBs), stage 2 jettisonable",
          "material": "lithium polymer batteries",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "the first two HVBs are jettisoned from Electron to reduce mass and increase performance in flight",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "lithium-polymer-battery",
          "function": "Power the LOx and kerosene pumps; two are dropped when a third takes over"
        },
        {
          "part": "Regeneratively cooled thrust chamber (additively manufactured)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "including the regeneratively cooled thrust chamber, injector pumps, and main propellant valves",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Combustion chamber printed as a primary part"
        },
        {
          "part": "Injector pumps (additively manufactured, as worded by Rocket Lab)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "first oxygen/ hydrocarbon engine to use additive manufacturing for all primary components",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Printed pump and injector parts"
        },
        {
          "part": "Main propellant valves (additively manufactured)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "injector pumps, and main propellant valves",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Printed valves"
        },
        {
          "part": "Pressurant system",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "a pressurant system is used to provide enough pump inlet pressure to safely operate",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Gives the pumps enough inlet pressure to run safely"
        },
        {
          "part": "Electromechanical thrust vector actuators (two axes)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The engine thrust is directed with electromechanical thrust vector actuators in two axes.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Steer each engine"
        },
        {
          "part": "Cold gas reaction control system (stage 2 roll control)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Roll control is provided via a cold gas reaction control system (RCS).",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Roll control in flight"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Stage 2",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Rutherford vacuum engine (x1)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Rocket Lab",
          "quote": "Electron’s second stage consists of a single vacuum optimized Rutherford engine, and linerless common bulkhead tanks for LOx and kerosene.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Stage 2 propulsion with a larger expansion-ratio nozzle",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Vacuum thrust and Isp",
              "value": "5,800 lbf, 343 s",
              "quote": "STAGE 2 PROPULSION 1x Rutherford Vacuum Engine THRUST 5800 LBF Vacuum ISP 343 Sec",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            },
            {
              "label": "Difference from stage 1 engine",
              "value": "same engine with a larger expansion ratio nozzle",
              "quote": "The Stage 1 and Stage 2 Rutherford engines are identical, with the exception of a larger expansion ratio nozzle for Stage 2",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Linerless common-bulkhead LOx/kerosene tanks, stage 2",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The 1.2 m diameter second stage has approximately 2,000 kg of propellant on board.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "About 2,000 kg of propellant"
        },
        {
          "part": "Pressurant system (as described for stage 2)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "a pressurant system is used to provide enough pump inlet pressure to safely operate",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Gives the pumps enough inlet pressure to run safely"
        },
        {
          "part": "Electromechanical thrust vector actuators (two axes, as described for stage 2)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The engine thrust is directed with electromechanical thrust vector actuators in two axes.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Steer each engine"
        },
        {
          "part": "Cold gas reaction control system (roll control, as described for stage 2)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Roll control is provided via a cold gas reaction control system (RCS).",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Roll control in flight"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Kick Stage",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Curie engine",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Rocket Lab",
          "quote": "The Kick Stage is powered by Rocket Lab’s in-house designed and built Curie engine.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Additively manufactured, pressure-fed, storable bipropellant, restartable",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Description",
              "value": "additively manufactured, pressure-fed, storable, re-startable bipropellant engine in one module with composite tanks and valves",
              "quote": "Curie is an additively manufactured, pressure-fed engine with flight heritage across more than a dozen orbital missions.",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Kick Stage structure",
          "material": "carbon composite (fibre and resin not stated)",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "MATERIAL Carbon composite ENGINE Curie",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": "carbon-fibre",
          "mid": "carbon-fibre",
          "function": "Third stage tug, 405 mm tall, 1.2 m diameter, 40 kg dry",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Size and mass",
              "value": "405 mm height, 1.2 m diameter, 40 kg dry mass",
              "quote": "HEIGHT 405 mm DIAMETER 1.2 m DRY MASS 40 kg / 88 lbs (dry)",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Kick Stage carbon composite propellant tanks",
          "material": "carbon composite (fibre and resin not stated)",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "PROPELLANT STORAGE Carbon composite tanks",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": "carbon-fibre",
          "mid": "carbon-fibre",
          "function": "Lightweight tanks integrated with the engine and valves"
        },
        {
          "part": "Kick Stage cold gas reaction control thrusters (x6, two pods)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "six low minimum impulse bit cold gas Reaction Control System thrusters",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Attitude control and propellant settling"
        },
        {
          "part": "Kick Stage tank pressurization system",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "tank pressurization system, and high propellant mass fraction tanks which can be scaled to meet mission-specific needs",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Pressurizes the propellant tanks"
        },
        {
          "part": "Standard electrical interface panel (SEIP)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Electron offers a Standard Electrical Interface Panel (SEIP) located on the kick stage",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Payload separation, discrete and umbilical circuits on the Kick Stage",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Circuits",
              "value": "24 general-purpose outputs for separation, up to 40 inputs for separation detection",
              "quote": "There are currently 24 GPO output circuits from the Flight Computer dedicated for spacecraft separation deployment",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Fairing and payload interfaces",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Payload fairing (composite split clam shell)",
          "material": "composite (type not stated)",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Electron’s payload fairing is a composite split clam shell design and includes environmental control for the payload.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite",
          "function": "Protects the payload; includes environmental control; 1.2 m diameter, 2.5 m tall",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Fairing size",
              "value": "1.2 m diameter, 2.5 m height",
              "quote": "FAIRING DIAMETER 1.2 m FAIRING HEIGHT 2.5 m",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Fairing separation system (pneumatic unlocking, springs, hinge)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "During separation, each half of the fairing is designed to rotate on a hinge away from the payload, resulting in a safe separation motion.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Each half rotates on a hinge away from the payload",
          "specs": [
            {
              "label": "Release",
              "value": "pneumatic unlocking with springs",
              "quote": "FAIRING SEP SYSTEM Pneumatic Unlocking, Springs",
              "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "part": "Payload plate (honeycomb composite, about 1 m diameter)",
          "material": "honeycomb composite (face sheet and core materials not stated)",
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "Rocket Lab’s Payload Plate is a honeycomb composite structure which is customized with an interface bolt pattern",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": "honeycomb-composite-unstated",
          "function": "Primary attachment between the vehicle and the customer payload"
        },
        {
          "part": "Maxwell CubeSat dispensers",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Rocket Lab",
          "quote": "such as our Maxwell series of CubeSat dispensers",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Rocket Lab-developed separation systems for CubeSats"
        },
        {
          "part": "RUAG PAS 381S separation system",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: RUAG",
          "quote": "Rocket Lab has worked with RUAG to offer the PAS 381S separation system.",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Clamp-band separation system offered with a fly-away umbilical"
        },
        {
          "part": "Motorized Lightband separation systems (8 to 24 inch)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Planetary Systems Corp",
          "quote": "Rocket Lab has worked with Planetary Systems Corp (PSC) to offer multiple Motorized Light-Band (MLB) diameters",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Microsatellite separation systems"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "assembly": "Avionics and safety",
      "parts": [
        {
          "part": "Flight computer systems (FPGA-based)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": "Supplier: Rocket Lab",
          "quote": "The computing nodes make use of state-of-the-art Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) architecture",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "In-house avionics with hardware-in-the-loop validation"
        },
        {
          "part": "Autonomous flight termination system (FAA certified)",
          "material": null,
          "form": null,
          "finish": null,
          "standard": null,
          "hardware_ref": null,
          "quote": "The Electron launch vehicle is equipped with a proven, Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) certified autonomous flight termination system",
          "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf",
          "profile": null,
          "mid": null,
          "function": "Ends the flight automatically if mission rules are violated"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "materials": [
    {
      "id": "carbon-fibre",
      "name": "carbon composite (fibre and resin not stated)",
      "material_page": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/carbon-fibre/"
    },
    {
      "id": "lithium-polymer-battery",
      "name": "lithium polymer batteries",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite",
      "name": "composite (type not stated)",
      "material_page": null
    },
    {
      "id": "honeycomb-composite-unstated",
      "name": "honeycomb composite (face sheet and core materials not stated)",
      "material_page": null
    }
  ],
  "standards": [],
  "relations": [
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Rutherford engine (sea-level)",
      "target_slug": "rocket-lab-rutherford",
      "note": "Stage 1: nine engines per vehicle (batch2 draft entry rocket-lab-rutherford)",
      "quote": "Electron’s first stage consists of nine sea-level Rutherford engines",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Rutherford engine (vacuum)",
      "target_slug": "rocket-lab-rutherford",
      "note": "Stage 2: one vacuum-optimized engine (batch2 draft entry rocket-lab-rutherford)",
      "quote": "Electron’s second stage consists of a single vacuum optimized Rutherford engine",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "carries",
      "target": "Curie engine",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Kick Stage: one engine",
      "quote": "The Kick Stage is powered by Rocket Lab’s in-house designed and built Curie engine.",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "heritage_of",
      "target": "Photon spacecraft bus",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "In its most advanced configuration the Kick Stage becomes Photon",
      "quote": "It its most advanced configuration the Kick Stage becomes Photon, Rocket Lab’s satellite bus",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "supplied_by",
      "target": "Rocket Lab",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Designs, manufactures and launches Electron",
      "quote": "Designed, manufactured, and launched by Rocket Lab, Electron is a two-stage launch vehicle",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "supplied_by",
      "target": "RUAG",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "PAS 381S clamp-band separation system for Electron",
      "quote": "Rocket Lab has worked with RUAG to offer the PAS 381S separation system.",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "supplied_by",
      "target": "Planetary Systems Corp",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Motorized Lightband separation systems",
      "quote": "Rocket Lab has worked with Planetary Systems Corp (PSC) to offer multiple Motorized Light-Band (MLB) diameters",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    },
    {
      "type": "operated_by",
      "target": "Rocket Lab",
      "target_slug": null,
      "note": "Launches from Launch Complex-1 in New Zealand and Launch Complex-2 in Virginia",
      "quote": "Launch Complex-1 on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand and Launch Complex-2 on Wallops Island, Virginia",
      "source_url": "https://rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Rocket-Lab-Electron-Payload-User-Guide-8.0.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "not_published": "Engine alloy, fairing, kick stage and Curie not sourced. More detail: Rocket Lab's own pages (rocketlabcorp.com/launch/electron, rocketlabusa.com/electron) return HTTP 403 to automated fetches; the Payload User Guide PDF (version 8.0, September 2025, footers still read V 7.0) was readable and is the main source. The guide gives no alloy or composite system for the engines, tanks, interstage, fairing or payload plate, no engine thrust-chamber material, no recovery or reuse hardware (parachute, heat shield, helicopter catch), no separation-ordnance or battery maker names, and no Neutron or Archimedes link. Rutherford thrust values in the guide (5,600 lbf sea level, 5,800 lbf vacuum) differ from older trade-press figures. The first-launch statement comes from Gunter's Space Page. More detail: Rocket Lab's own pages (rocketlabcorp.com/launch/electron, rocketlabusa.com/electron) return HTTP 403 to automated fetches; the Payload User Guide PDF (version 8.0, September 2025, footers still read V 7.0) was readable and is the main source. The guide gives no alloy or composite system for the engines, tanks, interstage, fairing or payload plate, no engine thrust-chamber material, no recovery or reuse hardware (parachute, heat shield, helicopter catch), no separation-ordnance or battery maker names, and no Neutron or Archimedes link. Rutherford thrust values in the guide (5,600 lbf sea level, 5,800 lbf vacuum) differ from older trade-press figures. The first-launch statement comes from Gunter's Space Page.",
  "depth": "partial",
  "photos": [
    {
      "file": "products/context/rocket-lab-electron-1.jpg",
      "alt": "Electron lifting off at night carrying PREFIRE-1",
      "long": "Electron lifting off at night carrying PREFIRE-1",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "NASA Kennedy Space Center / Rocket Lab | This image or video was catalogued by John F. Kennedy Space Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: KSC-20240525-PH-RKL01_0005.",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rocket_Lab_PREFIRE-1_Launch_(KSC-20240525-PH-RKL01_0005).jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/rocket-lab-electron-2.jpg",
      "alt": "Electron on its launch mount at Launch Complex 1, New Zealand, with NASA TROPICS fairing marking",
      "long": "Electron on its launch mount at Launch Complex 1, New Zealand, with NASA TROPICS fairing marking",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "NASA Kennedy Space Center / Rocket Lab | This image or video was catalogued by John F. Kennedy Space Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: KSC-20230526-PH-RKL01_0003.",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TROPICS_Rocket_Launch_(KSC-20230526-PH-RKL01_0003).jpg"
    },
    {
      "file": "products/context/rocket-lab-electron-3.jpg",
      "alt": "Electron in flight after liftoff carrying NASA TROPICS, flame and smoke below",
      "long": "Electron in flight after liftoff carrying NASA TROPICS, flame and smoke below",
      "kind": "product",
      "credit": "NASA Kennedy Space Center / Rocket Lab | This image or video was catalogued by John F. Kennedy Space Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: KSC-20240605-PH-RKL01_0005.",
      "license": "Public domain",
      "page_url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rocket_Lab_PREFIRE_and_Ice_Launch_(KSC-20240605-PH-RKL01_0005).jpg"
    }
  ],
  "context": {
    "size": [],
    "mass": [],
    "orbit": [
      "Low Earth orbit",
      "Sun-synchronous"
    ]
  },
  "licence": "Product data CC BY 4.0, cite Space Mushroom. Photos keep their own licences, given per photo.",
  "mcp": "https://spacemushroom.com/mcp"
}