Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Rocket Lab: We're Creating A Battery Powered Rocket

Los Angeles- and New Zealand-based aerospace startup Rocket Lab has unveiled its approach to delivering small satellites into space: new, battery powered rockets. The startup--which is backed by Khosla Ventures, K1W1, Bessemer Venture Partners and Lockheed Martin--claims it has created new technology which uses high-performance brushless DC electric motors and lithium-polymer batteries to drive payloads into space. The company says its technology--being incorporated into its "Electron" small orbital launch vehicle--will be capable of delivering up to 100 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. Rocket Lab said its engine is entirely 3D printed.