NASA has certified Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle, providing confidence for NASA’s low cost scientific, educational and technology demonstration smallsats.

The certification milestone was achieved largely through the successful launch of the NASA ELaNa-19 mission which saw 13 NASA cubesats delivered to orbit by Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle in December of 2018. The mission was Rocket Lab’s fourth successful Electron launch.

Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle.

That launch marked a significant milestone for NASA’s forward-leaning Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) initiative as this was the first time NASA cubesats received a dedicated ride to orbit via a commercial launch vehicle. Following this launch, an extensive assessment of Rocket Lab’s Electron production facilities and processes was also carried out in 2019, culminating in the Category 1 certification being awarded.

NASA is now considering Rocket Lab for Category 2 Certification, a classification that enables a launch provider to fly higher value payloads. The Category 2 Certification method offered by LSP requires a vehicle to have performed at least six consecutive successful missions of the same configuration.

As of February 2020, Rocket Lab’s Electron vehicle has conducted 10 consecutive successful orbital missions, deploying payloads for commercial and government customers including DARPA, the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Darren Bedell, the LSP Launch Services Development and Risk Manager determined that “Rocket Lab has demonstrated their strong commitment to maintaining a quality management system,” and added “Rocket Lab’s management team are deliberate in ensuring processes are controlled, repeatable, and measurable to ensure mission success.”

Rocket Lab Founder and Chief Executive Peter Beck said NASA Certification is a significant achievement for the company's team and testament to the firm's unwavering commitment to reliable and cost-effective launch for small satellites. Rocket Lab has a strong partnership with NASA that was established through the ELaNa-19 launch and continues today with the upcoming CAPSTONE mission that will see the firm's Electron launch vehicle and Photon spacecraft deliver a NASA satellite to lunar orbit next year. Rocket Lab is honored to be selected by NASA to launch these important pathfinding missions that pave the way for future exploration.