new rutherford engine ; small fast and agile electron can rapidly deliver small satellites to dedicated commercial orbits at world first frequency . space is now open for business . book now our mission online booking choose your launch date destination and even your position on the rocket using rocket lab s new online booking system for cubesats . 1u cubesat from us 50 000 3u cubesat from us 180 000 book now looking for a dedicated launch contact rocket lab . rutherford engine rocket lab s flagship engine the 4 900lbf rutherford is a turbo pumped lox rp 1 engine specifically designed for the electron launch vehicle . rutherford adopts an entirely new electric propulsion cycle using electric motors to drive its turbopumps and is the first oxygen hydrocarbon engine to use 3d printing for all primary components . more about rutherford from tip to tail electron is a two stage vehicle that uses rocket lab s rutherford liquid engine on both stages . payload electron is designed for a nominal payload of 150kg to a 500km sun synchronous orbit . rocket lab is able to tailor the vehicle to specific mission requirements including a range of sun synchronous altitudes in circular or elliptical orbits at inclinations between 45 and 98 degrees . plug in payloads rocket lab s streamlined approach to payload integration eliminates the risk of cascading delays and enables customers to have standby payloads ready to go . carbon composite electron makes use of advanced carbon composites for a strong and lightweight flight structure . rocket lab s extensive research and development programme has enabled liquid oxygen compatible composite tanks which provide impressive weight savings and give electron an overall mass efficiency unique among its class of rockets . more about carbon composite first stage electron s first stage is powered by multiple rutherford engines with a total peak thrust of 146.6 kn enough to lift a fully laden double decker bus off the ground . lift off thrust 152kn 34 500lbf peak thrust 183kn 41 500lbf second stage electron s second stage is powered by our rutherford vacuum engine which is tailored to provide improved performance in vacuum conditions . total thrust 22kn 5 000lbf avionics electron s avionics are responsible for flight sequencing data recording navigation guidance and control all the way to orbit . more about avionics the numbers 150kg nominal payload 500km nominal sun sync . orbit 2 stages 1.2 m diameter 16m height us 4.9 m price electron our mission about updates careers contact electron our mission about updates careers contact rocket lab ltd phone nz 64 9 373 2721 usa 1 714 4655737 email your enquiries