Rocket test launch closer following engine success

TECH STAR: Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck has the world’s attention with his development of a low-cost means to shoot satellites into orbit.

AUCKLAND-based company Rocket Lab has moved significantly closer to launching a rocket into space from its Mahia launch pad, after successful tests of the rocket’s engine.

Rocket Lab intends to launch commercial satellites into orbit from a launch pad at Onenui Station and company chief executive Peter Beck said several major milestones had now been achieved with the qualification of both its Rutherford engine and second stage, along with the development of multiple test facilities and employment of the company’s 100th rocket engineer in Auckland.

The test programme will see the Electron vehicle launched from the Mahia Peninsula where Rocket Lab is developing New Zealand’s first orbital launch site.

“Rocket Lab has recently qualified several of Electron’s major systems, including the Rutherford rocket engine and the vehicle’s completed upper stage, which is one of the Electron vehicle’s two flight stages.

“Our team has successfully pushed the boundaries of many new technologies, including carbon composite flight tanks, electric turbo-pumping and 3D printing.

“We’re looking forward to bring the whole launch vehicle together for testing soon.”

Mr Beck said the qualification of the engine was also a major milestone for 3D printing, as the Rutherford engine was the first oxygen/hydrocarbon engine to use additive manufacturing for all primary components of the combustor and propellant supply system.

“Rutherford also has a unique electric propulsion cycle, making use of high-performance brushless DC electric motors and lithium polymer batteries to drive its turbo-pumps.”

The company’s research and development facility in Auckland now had 100 engineers involved working on the design, test and build of the Electron launch vehicle, as well as developing the Mahia test and launch facilities.

“Rocket Lab’s engineers are international experts, many of whom have travelled to New Zealand to work on the project. Over a quarter of the programme’s engineers have PhDs. Several are graduates from the aerospace PhD programme Rocket Lab supports at Canterbury University.

“The size of the team has tripled in the last year, and Rocket Lab is currently advertising over more than 30 additional roles based in the research and development facility in Auckland.”

Mr Beck said recent achievements had put the company in “a good position” to carry out tests throughout the second half of the year.

“There are many moving parts, both technical and regulatory, as well as the significant amount of supporting infrastructure the company is developing — all of these factors impact the launch timeline.”