Rocket Lab reaches orbit for the first time
Rocket Lab has reached orbit for the first time, even though it's only the private space company's second flight . Even more impressive? The test mission, dubbed "Still Testing," had three customer satellites in tow: one is an Earth-imaging satellite, while the other two will track weather and boats. By successfully sending those satellites to orbit, the company has proven that its Electron rocket flights are a viable low-cost alternative for companies that want to send small payloads to space. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is around one-fourth the size of a Falcon 9 and has a max payload capacity of 500 pounds. It's definitely much smaller than its peers, but as a result, each flight only costs $5 million. Of course, it helps that the two-stage launch vehicle is powered by Rocket Lab's Rutherford engines, which are cheap to manufacture. Those engines are primarily composed of 3D-printed components, and they use battery-powered electric motors that are ...