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Space

Rocket Lab Completes First Test Launch Of Electron Rocket

By Marc Selinger

Thursday, May 25th, 2017

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Rocket Lab Completes First Test Launch Of Electron Rocket

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifts off in its first flight test. (Courtesy of Rocket Lab)

Rocket Lab, a new entrant to the space-access market, conducted the first flight test of its ground-launched Electron rocket May 25.During the test, the two-stage, 17-meter-high rocket lifted off from the company's launch site on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand at 4:20 p.m. local time. Minutes later, the Electron reached space. Although the rocket did not make it into orbit, the company declared the test a success overall.“It was a great flight,” said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s founder and…

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