Ashburn, VA.. June 20, 2017 . Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today congratulated Rocket Lab on the historic first launch of its Electron launch vehicle. The inaugural test flight of Rocket Lab’s expendable launch vehicle, which took place on May 25, 2017, marks a milestone in the development of cost-effective space flight and establishes Rocket Lab as the first commercial company to offer a high rate launcher specifically designed to support the needs of the nano-sat and small satellite market. The Electron’s historic flight originated from Rocket Lab’s new private orbital launch site on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, the first orbital range to be built and operated by a commercial company.