Rocket Lab · United States · First flight 2017
The leading dedicated small-satellite launcher. Uses electric turbopump-fed engines and carbon composite structure. Rocket Lab achieved a record 21 Electron launches in 2025 with 100% mission success, cementing its position as the second most frequently launched US rocket.
From SpaceNexus's launch tracker (tracked since Nov 24, 2024); outcomes recorded as each flight lands. Career totals above are the vehicle's full history.
| Height | 18 m |
| Diameter | 1.2 m |
| Liftoff mass | 12,550 kg |
| Stages | 2 |
| Engines | 9x Rutherford + 1x Rutherford Vacuum |
| Propellant | RP-1 / LOX |
| Fairing diameter | 1.2 m |
| Payload to LEO | 300 kg |
| Payload to GTO | — |
| Payload to SSO | 200 kg |
| Payload to TLI | — |
| Reusable | No |
| First flight | 2017-05-25 |
| Last flight | Active |
| Variants seen on the manifest | Electron |
A dedicated Electron launch lists at roughly $7.5 million, about $25,000 per kilogram to low Earth orbit at full payload. Actual contract prices vary with orbit, integration and government requirements.
The next tracked Electron launch is Owl Around The World (StriX Launch 11) on Aug 31, 2026, 12:05 UTC from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand. Dates move; Mission Control carries the live countdown.
Electron has flown 81 times with 77 successes, 4 failures and 0 partial failures — a 95.1% success rate, with 40 consecutive successes at last count.
300 kg to low Earth orbit, 200 kg to sun-synchronous orbit.