Rocket Lab Sets Launch Window For Next Capella Space Mission From Launch Complex 1
Rocket Lab has announced the launch window for its 51st Electron mission, titled 'A Sky Full Of SARs'. This dedicated mission for Capella Space will launch from the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand, opening on July 21 NZST / July 20 UTC. The mission will deploy the Acadia-3 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite to a 615km circular orbit. This is the fifth Rocket Lab launch for Capella, aiming to expand their Earth-imaging constellation. Rocket Lab is also providing a custom extended fairing and a separation system for the satellite. The mission will enhance Capella's high-resolution SAR capabilities, offering better bandwidth, faster downlink speeds, and reduced latency. This will be Rocket Lab's ninth mission in 2024.
- Rocket Lab's 51st Electron mission strengthens its portfolio with a dedicated SAR satellite launch for Capella Space.
- Capella Space's Acadia-3 satellite enhances their constellation with improved bandwidth and reduced latency.
- Custom extended fairing and separation system provided by Rocket Lab streamline Capella’s satellite deployment.
- No specific financial metrics or revenue impacts related to this mission were disclosed.
Insights
Rocket Lab's announcement of its 51st Electron launch dedicated to Capella Space continues to solidify its reputation in the small satellite launch market. This mission's significance lies in its role in deploying Capella's Acadia-3 SAR satellite, part of an ongoing multi-launch agreement. The consistent business from Capella suggests a stable revenue stream for Rocket Lab.
From a financial perspective, a regular client base, such as Capella, offers a cushion against market volatility. As Capella continues to build its Earth-imaging constellation, Rocket Lab benefits not just from the launch fees but also from ancillary services like providing custom components. Over multiple launches, these add-ons can significantly boost revenue.
For investors, it's important to note Rocket Lab's focus on maintaining a high launch cadence and the added value of tailored services. This strategy not only fortifies its market position but also potentially leads to higher profit margins. In the short term, this particular launch might not spike the stock, but in the long term, it strengthens investor confidence in Rocket Lab's consistent performance.
From a technical angle, the deployment of the Acadia-3 SAR satellite by Rocket Lab underscores the growing importance of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology in Earth observation. SAR's capability to capture high-resolution imagery under any weather conditions, day or night, is increasingly sought after in sectors ranging from agriculture to national security.
Capella's constellation expansion, enabled by Rocket Lab, enhances its coverage and data quality. This mission's use of a customized extended fairing and separation system highlights Rocket Lab's engineering adaptability, aligning with specific satellite requirements. Such flexibility is a competitive advantage in the specialized space launch market where tailored solutions are highly valued.
Investors should recognize that Rocket Lab's technical prowess in delivering successful bespoke solutions strengthens its market differentiation. In the long term, this could translate into sustained business growth as more clients with unique requirements turn to Rocket Lab.
The upcoming mission will deliver another Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite for Capella Space to low Earth orbit as part of a multi-launch agreement to deploy the Acadia constellation.
The ‘A Sky Full Of SARs’ mission is scheduled to launch during a 14-day window that opens on July 21 NZST / July 20 UTC from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. The mission will deploy Capella’s Acadia-3 SAR satellite, a synthetic aperture radar satellite for Earth imagery and observation, to a mid-inclination 615km circular orbit to add to Capella’s existing SAR satellite constellation in low Earth orbit.
The mission will be Rocket Lab’s fifth launch for Capella to build out the company’s Earth-imaging constellation. In addition to the launch service, Rocket Lab is providing Capella Space with a custom extended fairing for the Acadia-3 satellite on Electron and a separation system produced by Rocket Lab. Providing a tailored launch option along with the component for the safe and reliable deployment of Capella’s satellites on orbit, Rocket Lab’s dedicated launch service helps to streamline operations for Capella Space and enable them to focus more closely on their satellite’s capabilities and building out their constellation.
“It’s great to be heading back to the pad for Capella once again,” says Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “The team is focused on and dedicated to delivering this latest SAR satellite to orbit to build out Capella’s constellation, and we’re honored by their continued trust in Rocket Lab and Electron to help support their overarching mission.”
“We’re looking forward to working with Rocket Lab again in order to continue expanding Capella’s constellation with our industry-leading, next-generation satellite technology,” says Capella Space CEO Frank Backes. “It’s with partners like Rocket Lab that we’re able to serve the mission requirements of our customers today with high-resolution, high-quality SAR imagery, building a fully-automated and reliable constellation to meet the needs of customers for tomorrow.”
Capella is an American space tech company with data and satellite solutions for government and commercial applications. Capella’s high-quality, high-resolution SAR imagery penetrates all weather conditions and captures clear imagery 24/7, day and night, anywhere on Earth, delivered through a fully-automated ordering and delivery platform. Capella’s existing SAR capabilities includes long-dwell imaging and extended duty-cycle – which results in more images collected per orbit than any other SAR systems. Acadia will augment Capella’s existing constellation with increased bandwidth and power, faster downlink speeds, and reduced latency.
This upcoming mission for Capella will be Rocket Lab’s ninth mission for 2024 and 51st Electron launch overall.
‘A Sky Full Of SARs’ mission details:
- Launch window: NET July 21, NZST / July 20, UTC.
- Launch location: Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia.
- Launch Vehicle: Electron.
- Satellite Operator: Capella Space.
- Payload: SAR Earth-imaging Acadia satellite.
- Orbital Destination: 615km circular Earth orbit.
+ 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
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Rocket Lab Media Contact
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Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
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