Has Rocket Lab reached orbit?

Yes. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket achieved its first successful orbital launch in January 2018 and has since flown many orbital missions, making it one of the most frequently launched small-lift vehicles in the world.

What rockets does Rocket Lab build?

Rocket Lab builds the small orbital launch vehicle Electron, powered by its 3D-printed Rutherford engines, and is developing the larger reusable medium-lift rocket Neutron. It also builds spacecraft and satellite platforms such as Photon.

Where is Rocket Lab based?

Rocket Lab was founded in New Zealand in 2006 and is now headquartered in Long Beach, California, while still operating major manufacturing and launch facilities in New Zealand, including Launch Complex 1 at Mahia.

Companies

ActiveUnited StatesCommercial

Rocket Lab

Electron small-sat launches and reusable Neutron

Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Long Beach, California

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Total launches

Successful

95.6%

Success rate

Upcoming

Overview

Rocket Lab was founded by Peter Beck in 2006 in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2013 it reorganised as a US company and now operates as Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), headquartered in Long Beach, California, while retaining a major manufacturing and launch presence in New Zealand.

The company is best known for Electron, a small two-stage orbital launch vehicle powered by its 3D-printed, electric pump-fed Rutherford engines and capable of delivering roughly 150 kg to a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit. Rocket Lab is also developing Neutron, a larger reusable medium-lift rocket, and builds spacecraft and satellite platforms such as its Photon line as an end-to-end space company.

As of 2026 Rocket Lab is an active and prolific launch provider, with Electron among the most frequently flown small-lift rockets in the world. Neutron remains in development ahead of its maiden flight, while Electron continues to fly regularly from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, and Launch Complex 2 at Wallops, Virginia.

Milestones

Timeline

2006
Company founded
Peter Beck founded Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand.
2009
First suborbital launch
The Atea-1 sounding rocket made Rocket Lab the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.
May 2017
First Electron flight
Electron's maiden 'It's a Test' flight launched from Mahia, reaching space but not orbit.
Jan 2018
First orbital launch
The 'Still Testing' mission achieved Electron's first successful orbital launch, deploying customer CubeSats.
Aug 2021
Public listing on Nasdaq
Rocket Lab went public via a SPAC merger, trading on Nasdaq under the ticker RKLB.