Rocket Lab Completes 100th Electron Launch, Deploying YAMATSUMI-II Satellite to 575 km Orbit on November 14
In Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab announced on November 14 that its Electron rocket had completed its 100th launch, setting a record for reaching 100 launches faster than any other commercially developed rocket. The mission, named The Mountain God Rises, lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 6:30 p.m. local time on November 14.
The mission deployed the YAMATSUMI-II synthetic aperture radar Earth-imaging satellite to a 575 km low Earth orbit for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) of Japan. Rocket Lab said the mission was a success.
It was the 11th Electron launch for iQPS, with a 100 percent mission success record for that series since 2023. iQPS has booked seven more dedicated Electron launches through 2030 to complete its satellite constellation.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said in the announcement that few rockets reach 100 launches in their total operational lifetime. The company noted that Electron pioneered 3D-printed rocket engines and was the world first carbon-composite orbital rocket.
Rocket Lab said Electron operations lay the foundation for its next medium-lift rocket, Neutron. The announcement gave no first-flight date for Neutron.
Source: Rocket Lab
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Rocket Lab 的 Electron 火箭点火升空。来源：NASA Kennedy Space Center / Rocket Lab，公共领域，维基共享资源。 / Photo: A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifts off. Credit: NASA Kennedy Space Center / Rocket Lab, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
