The second stage Rutherford engine for the Electron launch vehicle. Photo: Rocket Lab

[Via Satellite 04-14-2016] Rocket Lab has successfully completed the qualification of the entire second stage of the Electron launch vehicle. According to the company, the second stages are running at peak performance and are set to fly during the Electron test program scheduled to run throughout the second half of 2016.

The second stage, built in-house, is responsible for delivering payloads of 150kg to a 500km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). The engine recently completed a qualification program involving more than 200 hot fire tests.

The Electron rocket uses Rutherford engines for the first and second stages, with the single second engine stage optimized for vacuum performance and the nine first stage engines designed for liftoff at sea level. The Rutherford engine uses electric motors to drive its turbo-pumps, and is the first oxygen/hydrocarbon engine to use 3-D printing for all primary components.

Rocket Lab’s employee count is now nearly 100.

Rocket Lab Qualifies Second Stage of Electron Launch Vehicle from Rocket Lab on Vimeo.