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“Rocket Lab’s mission is to remove the barriers to commercial space by providing frequent launch opportunities to low Earth orbit. Since its creation in 2006 by Peter Beck, Rocket Lab has delivered a range of complete rocket systems and technologies for fast and affordable payload deployment.”
– Rocket Lab
It all started with a dream to transform the commercial space industry into a relatively cheap market for private citizens. And a few days ago that dream turned into a reality when Silicon Valley funded space company, Rocket Lab, successfully launched a battery-powered, 3D-printed rocket into near-space. As they said, space is now open for business.
Dubbed the Electron, this 17-meters-long projectile serves as the first orbital-class rocket to be launched from a private site in the world. It was successfully launched on the Mahi Peninsula in New Zealand – the first rocket launch in New Zealand history. They are now preparing for a second launch, which they hope, with added payload, to finally make it into orbit.
Unlike SpaceX and Blue Origin, however, Rocket Lab isn’t aiming to create reusable rockets; rather create cheap and disposable materials for rockets, thus why they chose a 3D-printed alternative. Once they become fully operational, they plan on pumping out 50 launches a year. With the Electron, Rocket Lab hopes to begin flying already-signed customers, which include NASA, Moon Express, and others.
Photo Credit: Rocket Lab
About the author
B.J. Murphy is the Editor and Social Media Manager of Serious Wonder. He is a futurist, philosopher, activist, author and poet. B.J. is an Affiliate Scholar for the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET) and an Ambassador for the robotics company Humai.
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