Electron | Aspera

Electron Rocket Launches NASA's Aspera Mission: Probing the Universe's Hidden Gases

On August 15, 2026, Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifted off from its launch complex in New Zealand, carrying NASA's Aspera mission into low Earth orbit. This event marked a significant step in astrophysics, deploying a specialized ultraviolet telescope designed to study the elusive hot gases in the intergalactic medium. These gases, heated to millions of degrees, are believed to play a crucial role in the formation of stars and planets, potentially holding clues to the universe's evolutionary processes.

At the heart of the Aspera mission are its ambitious objectives: to map and analyze ultraviolet emissions from intergalactic hot gas, a phenomenon that has long evaded detailed observation due to Earth's atmospheric interference. The payload, a compact ultraviolet telescope weighing approximately 150 kilograms, is equipped with sensitive detectors capable of capturing wavelengths between 90 and 200 nanometers. This range is ideal for detecting ionized oxygen and other elements in the intergalactic medium, which could reveal how these gases influence galaxy formation and the distribution of baryonic matter. As the first NASA astrophysics mission dedicated to this task, Aspera aims to create comprehensive maps of these ultraviolet signatures over a two-year operational lifespan. By doing so, it could bridge gaps in our understanding of cosmic evolution, from the Big Bang's aftermath to the seeding of life-supporting environments. The telescope's high-resolution spectrograph allows for precise measurements of gas temperatures, densities, and velocities, offering data that complements observations from larger telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope but in an underrepresented spectral band.

The Electron rocket, developed by Rocket Lab, is a lightweight, two-stage vehicle optimized for small satellite deployments. Standing at 18 meters tall with a diameter of 1.2 meters, it weighs about 12,500 kilograms at liftoff. Its first stage employs nine Rutherford engines, each producing 25 kilonewtons of thrust through an innovative electric pump-fed system that uses battery-powered turbopumps for efficiency and rapid production. The second stage features a single vacuum-optimized Rutherford engine, enabling precise orbital insertion. Electron's payload capacity reaches up to 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit, making it ideal for cost-effective missions like Aspera. A key technical highlight is its use of 3D-printed components and composite materials, which reduce manufacturing time and costs while maintaining reliability. The rocket's kick stage, often included for final orbital adjustments, ensures payloads like Aspera achieve their target