Rocket Lab Electron development, test flights, and rideshare expansion (2006–2022)

1. Rocket Lab founded in Auckland, New Zealand

   Jun 1, 2006Labels: Peter Beck, Auckland, Rocket Lab

   • Rocket Lab
   • Rocket Lab

2. Launch Complex 1 officially opens on Māhia Peninsula

   Sep 26, 2016Labels: Launch Complex, M hia, Rocket Lab

   • LC 1
   • Space com

3. Electron makes its first flight attempt

   May 25, 2017Labels: Electron, It s, Launch Complex

   • Rocket Lab
   • Rocket Lab

4. Electron reaches orbit on “Still Testing”

   Jan 21, 2018Labels: Electron, Still Testing, orbital launch

   • Rocket Lab
   • Ars

5. First commercial Electron launch, “It’s Business Time”

   Nov 11, 2018Labels: Electron, It s, Curie kickstage

   • Rocket Lab
   • Space com

6. Photon spacecraft program announced

   Apr 8, 2019Labels: Photon, Rocket Lab, kick stage

   • Rocket Lab
   • Photon

7. Rocket Lab closes acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary

   Apr 30, 2020Labels: Sinclair Interplanetary, Rocket Lab, acquisition

   • Rocket Lab

8. First Electron first-stage recovery by ocean splashdown

   Nov 20, 2020Labels: Return to, first stage, ocean recovery

   • Ars
   • TechCrunch

9. Launch Complex 2 opened to support U.S. launches

   Dec 1, 2020Labels: Launch Complex, Wallops Island, Rocket Lab

   • Rocket Lab

10. Rideshare mission “They Go Up So Fast” flies Photon Pathstone

    Mar 22, 2021Labels: They Go, Photon Pathstone, rideshare

    • Rocket Lab
    • Launch list

11. “Running Out Of Toes” launch fails after anomaly

    May 15, 2021Labels: Running Out, Electron, launch anomaly

    • Rocket Lab
    • Space com

12. Helicopter catch achieved on “There And Back Again”

    May 2, 2022Labels: There And, helicopter catch, first stage

    • Rocket Lab
    • Reuters

13. CAPSTONE launched with Photon on a lunar transfer mission

    Jun 28, 2022Labels: CAPSTONE, Photon, lunar transfer

    • CAPSTONE
    • Launch list