Rocket Lab launches the 12th Electron mission of 2024 on Nov. 5. Photo: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab reached a new record for Electron missions in one year, launching its 12th mission of 2024 on Tuesday night from New Zealand. The Electron mission carried a single satellite to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) for a confidential commercial customer. 

The mission, named “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 11:54 p.m. local time on Nov. 5. 

With this mission, Rocket Lab surpassed last year’s record of 10 Electron launches in one year. Rocket Lab previously planned a manifest of 22 launches total for 2024. 

Rocket Lab also reported this mission took place less than 10 weeks after the launch contract was signed, marking one of the company’s fastest turnarounds. 

“Another successful launch showcasing all the best attributes of the Rocket Lab team and Electron: a streamlined process from contract to orbit, pinpoint deployment accuracy, and a responsive service tailored exactly to the customer’s needs. Now 12 for 12 this year across commercial, civil, and national security missions, I’m proud of the team for delivering launch after launch as we continue to deliver a record year across launch and space systems,” CEO Peter Beck commented. 

This was Rocket Lab’s 54th Electron mission. In June of this year, Rocket Lab reached the milestone of 50 Electron launches seven years after the first flight — faster than any other commercially developed rocket in history, even the Falcon 9.