ABOUT RUTHERFORD
The Rutherford is a small, electric-pump-fed engine developed by Rocket Lab for the Electron launch vehicle. It is the first flight-proven engine to use electric motors to drive its propellant pumps, powered by lithium-polymer batteries. This eliminates the need for a gas generator or turbine, simplifying the design. Rutherford engines are 3D-printed using electron beam melting.
Image: Rocket Lab
PERFORMANCE
| Thrust (Sea Level) | 24.9 kN (5,600 lbf) kN |
| Thrust (Vacuum) | 25.8 kN (5,800 lbf) kN |
| ISP (Sea Level) | 303 s (variant dependent) s |
| ISP (Vacuum) | 343 s (vacuum variant) s |
| Chamber Pressure | 1.2 MPa (174 psi) bar |
| Mass | 35 kg |
| Thrust-to-Weight | 73 |
| Throttle Range | Throttleable |
| Restart Capable | Yes (vacuum variant) |
THRUST CONVERSIONS (VACUUM)
| Kilonewtons | 25.8 kN |
| Pounds-force | 5,800 lbf |
ENGINE CYCLE
Electric Pump-Fed
Electric pump-fed engines use battery-powered electric motors to drive propellant pumps instead of gas turbines. This allows precise throttle control and simplifies the engine. Used by Rocket Lab's Rutherford engine.
PROPULSION
| Propellant | RP-1 |
| Oxidizer | LOX |
| Engine Cycle | Electric Pump-Fed |
| Mixture Ratio | 2.5:1 |
| Flow Rate | ~8 kg/s kg/s |
PHYSICAL
| Dimensions | 0.3 m diameter × 0.6 m length |
| Combustion Chambers | 1 |
| Nozzle Expansion Ratio | 12:1 (SL) / ~40:1 (vacuum):1 |
GENERAL
| Manufacturer | Rocket Lab |
| Country | United States / New Zealand |
| Status | Active |
| First Flight | April 17, 2026 |
VARIANTS (2)
- Rutherford (sea level)
- Rutherford Vacuum
VEHICLES USING RUTHERFORD (1)
⚖ PROPELLANTS
🏢 MANUFACTURER
