In-Depth View Of Rocket Lab’s Electron Launch Vehicle
Video from the channel TheSpaceBucket about Electron, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 7:31. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.
What it's about
An overview of Rocket Lab's Electron, a light launcher built for the growing demand for small-satellite launches: its origin, performance, design and kick stage. The opening uses the sound of a Discovery shuttle liftoff, which has no connection to the Electron.
Historical context
Development began in 2013. By the time the video was published, the Electron had logged more than 20 launches and over 100 satellites deployed, establishing Rocket Lab among light-launcher providers. The company operated two launch sites, one in New Zealand and another in Virginia.
Key facts
It is a two-stage liquid oxygen and kerosene rocket. The structure and tanks are made of carbon composite, manufactured in-house by the company. It stands 18 m tall and 1.2 m in diameter, weighing 13,000 kg fully fueled. It can carry up to 200 kg to a circular, 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. From New Zealand it reaches inclinations of 39° to 120°, and from Virginia 38° to 60°. The first stage carries nine Rutherford engines and the second a single vacuum-optimized one. Its pumps are driven by brushless electric motors powered by lithium-polymer batteries, instead of turbomachinery. The kick stage, with a Curie engine and cold-gas thrusters, circularizes and adjusts orbits; in its more advanced version it becomes the Photon satellite platform.