Rocket Lab Schedules Launch Date for 45th Electron Mission to Deploy Earth-Imaging Satellite for Synspective

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab announced the launch window for its 45th Electron launch, a mission for Synspective, a Japanese Earth-imaging satellite operator. The 'Owl Night Long' mission is scheduled to launch in March, continuing a partnership for deploying StriX-series satellites to orbit.

Insights

Aerospace Analyst

The scheduled 'Owl Night Long' mission by Rocket Lab, serving as a dedicated launch for Synspective's StriX-3 satellite, marks a significant event within the aerospace industry. This mission underscores the growing trend of dedicated launches for satellite constellation operators, which allows for greater control over launch schedules and orbital deployment parameters. The use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology by Synspective's satellites is noteworthy for its ability to provide reliable Earth imaging regardless of atmospheric conditions, thus offering consistent and high-quality data.

From an industry perspective, this mission demonstrates Rocket Lab's capability to offer customized launch services, which can be a competitive advantage in attracting niche customers that require specific orbital deployments. The Electron vehicle's Kick Stage maneuver to reduce radiation exposure is an example of such customization. The advancement of SAR technology and its applications in monitoring economic and environmental changes presents opportunities for growth in satellite data services, potentially impacting sectors such as agriculture, urban planning and disaster management.

Market Research Analyst

The collaboration between Rocket Lab and Synspective has implications for both companies' market positions. As the exclusive launch provider for Synspective, Rocket Lab benefits from the recurring business and strengthens its portfolio in the small satellite launch market. The success of these launches can influence investor perception and potentially Rocket Lab's stock market performance, reflecting the company's reliability and technological prowess.

For Synspective, the deployment of the StriX-3 satellite expands its constellation, enhancing its data services offering. This expansion could attract new customers and retain existing ones by providing more comprehensive datasets and analytics capabilities. The mention of multiple planned launches indicates a robust pipeline of projects, which could signal to investors the company's growth trajectory and commitment to scaling its operations.

Financial Analyst

The financial implications of the 'Owl Night Long' mission for Rocket Lab and Synspective are multifaceted. For Rocket Lab, successful execution of such missions contributes to revenue growth and can improve profit margins through economies of scale and operational efficiencies. The company's ability to secure multi-launch agreements is indicative of a sustainable business model that can provide a steady stream of income.

On the other hand, Synspective's investment in expanding its SAR satellite constellation suggests a long-term strategic approach to capturing market share in the Earth observation sector. The financial outlay for satellite manufacturing, launch services and operation must be weighed against the anticipated increase in revenue from an expanded service offering. The focus on full-scale constellation operations points to an expectation of significant returns on investment through enhanced analytics services and data supply.

The mission will be Rocket Lab’s fourth mission for Japanese constellation operator Synspective

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the launch window for its 45^th Electron launch, a dedicated mission for Synspective, a Japanese Earth-imaging satellite constellation operator.

The “Owl Night Long” mission is scheduled to launch during a 14-day window that opens on March 10^th NZDT (March 9^th UTC). The mission will lift off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand and will deploy a StriX-3 satellite to orbit, continuing a multi-launch agreement to deliver Synspective’s StriX-series satellites to low Earth orbit.

Rocket Lab has been the exclusive launch provider for Synspective to date and the “Owl Night Long” mission will be Rocket Lab’s fourth launch for the constellation operator following launches in 2020 and 2022:

• The Owls’ Night Begins: Launched December 2020
• The Owl’s Night Continues: Launched February 2022
• The Owl Spreads its Wings: Launched September 2022

Synspective is a satellite data solutions provider with its own constellation of SAR satellites. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an active system that transmits microwave pulses toward the Earth's surface and receives the reflected signals to create an image of the target area. Unlike other imaging technologies, SAR can penetrate clouds and other atmospheric conditions, enabling it to collect data day or night with frequent revisit rates.

SAR data contain information that helps to understand the shape and physical properties of terrain and structures. Observing the same target under constant conditions makes it well-suited for time-series analysis and change detection, enabling the capture of ongoing economic and environmental changes.

By flying as a dedicated payload on Electron, Synspective has a high degree of control over the launch schedule and orbital deployment parameters. Electron is also an ideal launch vehicle for the StriX constellation due to a unique Synspective deployment requirement. Electron’s Kick Stage performs an advanced mid-mission maneuver to shield the StriX satellite from the sun to reduce radiation exposure ahead of payload deployment, a level of mission customization not available on large rideshare missions.

Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive, Peter Beck, says: “We’re excited to continue our strong partnership with Synspective having been their sole launch provider to date. Electron delivers a tailored, customized launch service that offers Synspective a rare level of precision deployment to ensure their satellites are placed in perfect orbits on rapid timelines. We look forward to helping another owl take flight and expanding Synspective’s constellation.”

Synspective founder and CEO, Dr. Motoyuki Arai, says: “I am delighted to be able to take on another challenge with the Rocket Lab team, who have led us to launch three satellites into their target orbits successfully. I also want to express my gratitude to the dedicated teams of both companies and everyone involved in the StriX-3 project. StriX-3 is our fourth satellite, enabling us to offer more data services to our new and existing customers. This year, we plan to expand our business through multiple launches, and StriX-3 will be the first satellite aimed at full-scale constellation operations. Through this launch, we will advance our understanding of the manufacturing process, enhance our satellite operation know-how, increase the volume of data supply, and strengthen our data analysis capabilities. To address all sustainable development challenges within our generation, we will push forward our analytics platform business, enabling societal progress through data-driven insights and collective learning.”

“Owl Night Long” will be Rocket Lab’s 3^rd Electron launch in 2024 and more Synspective launches are planned as part of the multi-launch agreement.

+ 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, the Photon satellite platform, 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 177 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.

+ About Synspective

Synspective, established in 2018, is an end-to-end SAR satellite data and solution provider with the mission to realize a learning world for people to expand their capabilities and make tangible progress with new data and technologies.

With a SAR satellite constellation that enables high-frequency and high-resolution Earth observation, Synspective delivers satellite data and various solutions that combine SAR and IoT data with machine learning and data science techniques.

+ 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, 2022, 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/20240220647201/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Michael Atchue

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

When is Rocket Lab's 45th Electron launch for Synspective scheduled to launch?

The 'Owl Night Long' mission is scheduled to launch during a 14-day window that opens on March 10th NZDT (March 9th UTC).

What is the name of the Japanese Earth-imaging satellite constellation operator Rocket Lab is collaborating with?

Rocket Lab is collaborating with Synspective, a Japanese Earth-imaging satellite constellation operator.

How many launches has Rocket Lab conducted for Synspective so far?

Rocket Lab has conducted three launches for Synspective to date, with the 'Owl Night Long' mission being the fourth.

What is the specialty of StriX-series satellites deployed by Rocket Lab for Synspective?

StriX-series satellites deployed by Rocket Lab for Synspective are designed for Earth-imaging using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology.

What advantage does Electron offer for deploying Synspective's StriX constellation?

Electron offers a tailored launch service with precise deployment to ensure satellites are placed in perfect orbits on rapid timelines for Synspective.