NASA certifies Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle. Photo: Rocket Lab

NASA has certified Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle, which the company said provides confidence for NASA’s low cost scientific, educational and technology demonstration small satellites.

Rocket Lab said the certification milestone was achieved largely through the successful launch of the NASA ELaNa-19 mission in December 2018. The mission was the first time NASA CubeSats received a dedicated ride to orbit on a commercial launch vehicle. Rocket Lab said NASA also carried out an extensive assessment of Rocket Lab’s Electron production facilities and processes in 2019. NASA is now considering Rocket Lab for Category 2 Certification, a classification that enables a launch provider to fly higher value payloads.

Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Peter Beck said the certification is a significant achievement for the company. “We have a strong partnership with NASA that was established through the ELaNa-19 launch and continues today with the upcoming CAPSTONE mission that will see our Electron launch vehicle and Photon spacecraft deliver a NASA satellite to lunar orbit next year. We’re honored to be selected by NASA to launch these important pathfinding missions that pave the way for future exploration,” he said.