Aircraft program
Family of two-stage orbital launch vehicles with modified third Kick Stage for precise payload delivery, features nine Rutherford engines on first stage, single vacuum Rutherford for second stage.
Technical reference compiled with AI research; a value appears only where two independent research passes and a web fact-check agree. Gaps are deliberate.
Supplier geography and market analysis for this program — shown free on sponsored programs, or with an Analytics subscription.
See Analytics rates| Variant | Launch / first flight | Production end | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket Lab Electron | 2014 / 2017 | Reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle with LEO 300 kg payload capacity. Originally launched as expendable but modified to have reusable first stage. | |
| Rocket Lab HASTE | 2023 / 2023 | Rocket Lab's Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) suborbital testbed launch vehicle providing high-cadence flight test opportunites. Derived from Electron rocket but with LEO payload capacity of up to 700 kg. |
| Rocket Lab | News |
Other aircraft programs: Rocket Lab Neutron ·
Find other programs with these properties in the aircraft programs directory.
The program’s dated history — milestones, contracts, supplier selections and facilities, each linked to its source. Log in to view.
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