Rocket research laboratory conducts its 50th Electron launch on June 20.Rocket Lab

New Zealand - based caller Rocket Lab has strike an impressive milepost with the50th launch of its Electron rocket . Like SpaceX , the troupe provides commercial-grade launch services , carrying cargo into near - Earth area for private companies and supply help for space agencies like NASA . allot to the company , the Electron rocket has touch 50 launch quicker than any other commercially develop rocket .

Rocket Lab ’s success is particularly noteworthy as New Zealand does not have a significant outer space plan , and most similar commercial-grade launch entity are clump in the U.S. and Europe . Rocket Lab launches from its Launch Complex 1 deftness , located close to Ahuriri Point on New Zealand ’s North Island . The first Electron launch took place there in 2017 , and the first successful orbital launch was in 2018 .

Rocket Lab’s 50th Electron launch.

Rocket Lab conducts its 50th Electron launch on June 20.Rocket Lab

The most recent launch took station at 2:13 p.m. ET on June 20 , conduct five Internet of Things ( IoT ) satellites into orbit for the company Kinéis . As is distinctive for Rocket Lab , the mission was given a fun name — in this fount “ No Time Toulouse . ”

Kinéis ’s CEO , Alexandre Tisserant , saidat the launching : “ Kinéis is gallant of the success of Electron ’s fiftieth flight . The ticklish form of separating our five nanosatellites from the catapult depart very well . Our teams are now working to place them in their respective orbits . These first five satellites in the configuration mark the showtime of the IoT revolution drive by Kinéis connectivity and extend the prospect of full commercial-grade services . See you later this year for the second launch , and kudos to the teams ! ”

Rocket Lab also partake in some specially gorgeous ikon of the launching on cristal ( formerly Twitter ) , show the import the rocket salad lift off the launch pad :

Here are some airless - ups of the Electron ’s powerful engines :

Loud , starkly beautiful , and incredibly photogenic . Could n’t total up Electron better ourselves.https://t.co/bqzGgpIwL1

& mdash ; Rocket Lab ( @RocketLab)June 21 , 2024

“ When Electron lifted off the launching pad for the first time in 2017 , we knew we ’d unlock a new era in spaceflight , one where diminished satellites acquire to call the shot for the first time with frequent , tailored , and reliable access code to orbit , ” said Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck in a financial statement .

“ Fifty launches afterwards , Electron is the most successful commercial pocket-size garden rocket globally . make it to 50 launches quicker than any commercially develop rocket in history is testament to the incredible team we have behind us . Today ’s precise , sew commission for Kinéis is yet another demonstration of the time value Electron continues to allow to the small sat community . felicitation to our team and give thanks you to our customers and supporters for help us cover to get around records and sic unexampled manufacture standards . ”