Rocket Lab Launches Next Batch of Satellites for Kinéis Constellation

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has successfully completed its 59th Electron mission, launching five satellites into Low Earth Orbit for French IoT constellation operator Kinéis. The 'IOT 4 You and Me' mission, launched from New Zealand on February 9, 2025, marks the fourth launch in a five-launch agreement to deploy Kinéis's entire constellation.

The satellites were deployed to a 647 km low Earth orbit, representing Rocket Lab's first Electron launch of 2025. This mission is part of an ambitious project to deploy Kinéis's complete constellation of 25 nanosatellites within eight months, enabling global IoT coverage for applications including forest fire detection, water resource management, and logistics tracking.

The final launch in the Kinéis series will be announced in the coming weeks, with another Electron launch scheduled for February 2025.

Positive

• Successfully completed fourth of five contracted launches for Kinéis constellation
• Demonstrated rapid constellation deployment capability, launching 20 satellites in under 8 months
• Maintains strong execution with 59th successful Electron mission

Negative

• None.

Insights

Space Industry Analyst

The successful execution of Rocket Lab's fourth launch for Kinéis represents a significant operational achievement that strengthens the company's position in the competitive space launch market. Completing four out of five constellation launches in less than a year demonstrates exceptional operational efficiency that sets RKLB apart in the industry.

The rapid deployment capability is particularly valuable for constellation operators, as faster satellite deployment means quicker time-to-market and revenue generation. This efficiency creates a compelling competitive advantage in the growing small satellite launch market, especially for constellation operators who traditionally face extended deployment timelines spanning several years.

This mission also showcases RKLB's strategic positioning in the IoT constellation market, a sector projected for substantial growth. The Kinéis constellation's focus on global IoT coverage, including applications in:

• Forest fire detection
• Water resource management
• Infrastructure monitoring
• Transport and logistics tracking

These applications represent high-growth market segments that could drive increased demand for similar constellation deployment services. The successful execution of the Kinéis contract enhances RKLB's credibility for future constellation deployment contracts, potentially leading to additional high-value, multi-launch agreements.

With the 59th Electron launch completed and more missions scheduled, RKLB continues to demonstrate operational consistency that's important for maintaining market confidence. The company's ability to maintain a steady launch cadence while achieving precise orbital insertions strengthens its value proposition in the small satellite launch market.

The mission was the fourth mission in a five-launch deal with Kinéis to deploy the French company’s entire internet-of-things constellation

MAHIA, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 59^th Electron mission, deploying five satellites to Low Earth Orbit for French Internet-of-Things (IoT) constellation operator Kinéis.

Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle lifts-off from Launch Complex 1 carrying five satellites for French constellation operator Kinéis. (Photo: Business Wire)

The “IOT 4 You and Me” mission lifted-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 9:43 am NZDT on 9 February (20:43 UTC), successfully deploying five satellites to a 647 km low Earth orbit. The mission was Rocket Lab’s first Electron launch of 2025, fourth launch for Kinéis to date, and 59^th Electron launch overall.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said: “That’s four launches done and one still to go for Kinéis, then we’ll have deployed their entire constellation in less than a year. It’s not uncommon for constellation operators to wait longer than that for their first launch, let alone have a full constellation deployed and operating. Once again Electron has shown its strength as a pinpoint accurate constellation launcher that lets customers tailor missions and schedules to their needs.”

Kinéis CTO Michel Sarthou said: "Producing 25 nanosatellites and launching them into orbit in just eight months is an unprecedented feat—and above all, a remarkable challenge! With this fourth and penultimate launch, Kinéis moves one step closer to its ambitious goal: delivering global IoT coverage through a complete constellation of 25 nanosatellites. This milestone showcases the expertise and determination of our teams and partners like Rocket Lab. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support and commitment we have received since Kinéis was founded.”

The Kinéis constellation is designed to make it possible to connect and locate any connected object anywhere in the world, enabling data transmission to users in near-real time, at low bit rates and with very low energy consumption. By enabling internet connection to the Earth’s most remote locations, Kinéis constellation can support forest fire detection, water resource management, infrastructure and energy network monitoring, transport and logistics tracking, and much more.

The launch date for the fifth Kinéis launch in this series of missions will be announced in the coming weeks.

The next Electron launch is scheduled for lift-off in February, with the specific launch window and customer details to be announced in the coming days.

Launch images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlab/albums/72177720323462623

Launch webcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Al5hWmjoxQ

+ About Rocket Lab

Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of flight-proven spacecraft, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

+ Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250208666499/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Morgan Connaughton

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

How many satellites did RKLB launch in the latest Kinéis mission?

Rocket Lab launched five satellites for Kinéis in the latest mission on February 9, 2025.

What is the total number of satellites in the Kinéis constellation being launched by RKLB?

The complete Kinéis constellation consists of 25 nanosatellites, being launched across five Rocket Lab missions.

What orbit altitude did RKLB deploy the Kinéis satellites to?

The satellites were deployed to a 647 km low Earth orbit.

How many Electron launches has RKLB completed as of February 2025?

Rocket Lab has completed 59 Electron launches as of February 2025.

When will RKLB launch the final batch of Kinéis satellites?

The launch date for the fifth and final Kinéis mission will be announced in the coming weeks.