Rocket Lab employees with multiple rockets under construction. Photo: Rocket Lab

[Via Satellite 07-01-2016] Small satellite launch company Rocket Lab reached its 10-year anniversary this June and is now months away from the first launch of its Electron rocket. Founded in June 2006, Rocket Lab has launched more than 80 sounding rockets and in 2009 became the first private company to reach space from the Southern Hemisphere.

Operations in Auckland, New Zealand continue to support the private orbital launch site Rocket Lab is currently constructing on the country’s Mahia Peninsula. According to the company, its Mahia launch site will reach the widest range of orbital azimuths of any launch site globally, and will have the ability to conduct rocket launches at “an unprecedented frequency” thanks to its remote location.

Electron’s test program is scheduled to run throughout the second half of 2016. The launch vehicle is capable of lifting a 150 kg payload to a nominal 500 km sun- synchronous orbit. This year Rocket Lab qualified both the second stage of the vehicle and the oxygen/hydrocarbon Rutherford Engine. Founded by New Zealander Peter Beck, Rocket Lab got its start in New Zealand, but established its headquarters in Los Angeles, California in the US in 2013.