Rocket Lab Readies First 2022 Electron Launch, BlackSky Adds Another Mission to Manifest

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab announced its 24th Electron launch scheduled for February 4, 2022, as part of a multi-launch deal with BlackSky (NYSE:BKSY) through Spaceflight Inc.. The mission, named 'Without Mission A Beat', will deliver additional satellites for BlackSky to expand its Earth-imaging satellite constellation.

This launch marks the continuation of Rocket Lab's busy launch schedule and confirms its role as a trusted partner for BlackSky in satellite deployment.

Positive

• Rocket Lab schedules its 24th Electron launch for February 4, 2022, indicating strong operational capability.
• The mission marks a multi-launch agreement with BlackSky, signaling a solid partnership.
• BlackSky expands its satellite constellation, enhancing its business prospects and market reach.

Negative

• None.

This 24^th Electron launch is the latest in a multi-launch deal with Spaceflight Inc. for BlackSky, which has secured an additional fifth dedicated mission on Rocket Lab’s 2022 launch manifest following multiple successful missions last year.

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading launch and space systems company, has today announced the launch window for its first Electron mission in 2022, a dedicated mission for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through global launch services provider Spaceflight Inc.

Electron is scheduled to launch the “Without Mission A Beat” mission from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens February 4, 2022 UTC. The “Without Mission A Beat” launch will be the fifth and sixth satellites delivered to space for BlackSky by Rocket Lab in the past three months. This dedicated mission will be Rocket Lab’s 24^th Electron launch and first mission of 2022. Rocket Lab will not be attempting to recover Electron for this mission.

While this next mission was due to be the final launch in a series of back-to-back missions for the company as part of a multi-launch deal actioned last year, Spaceflight has since commissioned an additional sixth launch for BlackSky on Electron to take place in 2022. That dedicated mission will continue BlackSky’s rapid business expansion by deploying another pair of Gen-2 Earth-imaging satellites to a precise location in low Earth orbit for its growing satellite constellation.

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck says: “This next mission is part of the largest number of satellites BlackSky have committed in a single deal to a launch provider, and we’re proud to be their trusted partner to help grow their constellation. BlackSky adding another mission to the Rocket Lab manifest is further confirmation of Electron’s status as the dedicated small launch champion, and we’re ready and eager to deliver these missions for BlackSky in the weeks to come.”

These upcoming BlackSky missions begin a busy year of Electron launches for Rocket Lab, including more bulk dedicated launches for government and commercial satellite operators, other singular dedicated and rideshare missions, and Rocket Lab’s mission to the Moon for NASA on the upcoming CAPSTONE mission scheduled to launch from New Zealand in the first half of the year.

+ Images and video content www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/link-to-rocket-lab-imagery-and-video/

+ 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, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft 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 and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. 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 107 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, one of which is currently operational, and a second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational by the end of 2021. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, including without limitation expectations regarding the timing of scheduled launches, are based on Rocket Lab’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond Rocket Lab’s control), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including risks related to the global COVID-19 pandemic, including risks related to government restrictions and lock-downs in New Zealand and other countries in which we operate that could delay or suspend our operations; delays and disruptions in expansion efforts; our dependence on a limited number of customers; the harsh and unpredictable environment of space in which our products operate which could adversely affect our launch vehicle and spacecraft; increased congestion from the proliferation of low Earth orbit constellations which could materially increase the risk of potential collision with space debris or another spacecraft and limit or impair our launch flexibility and/or access to our own orbital slots; increased competition in our industry due in part to rapid technological development and decreasing costs; technological change in our industry which we may not be able to keep up with or which may render our services uncompetitive; average selling price trends; failure of our satellites to operate as intended either due to our error in design in production or through no fault of our own; launch schedule disruptions; supply chain disruptions, product delays or failures; design and engineering flaws; launch failures; natural disasters and epidemics or pandemics; changes in governmental regulations including with respect to trade and export restrictions, or in the status of our regulatory approvals or applications; or other events that force us to cancel or reschedule launches, including customer contractual rescheduling and termination rights, and the other risks detailed from time to time in Rocket Lab’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere (including that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may also exacerbate the risks discussed therein). There can be no assurance that the future developments affecting Rocket Lab will be those that we have anticipated. Except as required by law, Rocket Lab is not undertaking any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220118006151/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Murielle Baker

media@rocketlabusa.com

+64 27 538 9040

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

What is Rocket Lab's upcoming launch schedule for February 2022?

Rocket Lab's upcoming launch, named 'Without Mission A Beat', is scheduled for February 4, 2022.

What is the significance of the launch for BlackSky (BKSY)?

This launch continues BlackSky's rapid expansion, deploying additional satellites to its Earth-imaging constellation.

How many missions has Rocket Lab completed for BlackSky so far?

The upcoming mission will be Rocket Lab's fifth and sixth satellites delivered for BlackSky in a short span of three months.

Who is coordinating Rocket Lab's launch for BlackSky?

The launch is coordinated through global launch services provider Spaceflight Inc.

What is the status of Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle?

Rocket Lab's Electron has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, highlighting its reliability.