Rocket Lab Sets Launch Window to Deploy Synspective Satellite

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab, a global leader in launch services, announced a launch window for its upcoming Electron mission to deploy a satellite for Synspective. The mission, titled Owl The Way Up, is set to launch from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, with the window opening on December 18th NZDT (December 17 UTC). This will be the sixth of 16 planned launches for Synspective, a Japanese Earth observation company specializing in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.

Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for Synspective since December 2020, helping to build their SAR satellite constellation. The mission will place a single StriX satellite into orbit, enhancing Synspective's capabilities in disaster relief, agricultural development, and maritime domain awareness. Rocket Lab has surpassed its previous annual launch record with 14 missions in 2024, up from 10 in 2023.

Positive

• Rocket Lab has secured a long-term partnership with Synspective, involving 16 missions.
• The company has broken its previous annual launch record with 14 missions in 2024.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The announcement of Rocket Lab's sixth launch for Synspective represents incremental progress in executing their $400+ million launch backlog. The continued relationship with Synspective, accounting for 16 total booked missions, demonstrates strong customer retention and reliability in the small satellite launch market. With 14 successful launches in 2024, surpassing 2023's record of 10, Rocket Lab shows operational momentum and growing launch cadence that could drive revenue growth.

The dedicated launch service model, as opposed to rideshare, commands premium pricing and provides Rocket Lab with better margins. This strategic positioning in the small satellite market, particularly serving constellation deployments, helps secure predictable revenue streams. However, the impact of a single launch on Rocket Lab's $11.5B market cap is relatively modest, though the consistent execution builds credibility for future growth.

The mission will be Rocket Lab’s sixth launch for Synspective, out of a total of 16 missions booked on Electron by the Japanese Earth observation company.

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 a launch window for an upcoming Electron mission to deploy the latest satellite in Synspective’s growing Earth observation constellation.

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launches for Synspective (Photo: Business Wire)

The “Owl The Way Up” mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand during a launch window that opens on December 18^th NZDT (December 17 UTC). The mission will deploy a single StriX satellite to orbit for Synspective. The mission will be the sixth in a total of 16 launches booked on Electron for Synspective, a Japanese Earth observation company operating a constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites designed to deliver imagery that can detect millimetre-level changes to the Earth’s surface from space. Rocket Lab first launched for Synspective in December 2020 and has been the sole launch provider for Synspective’s constellation to date.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “As the sole launch provider for Synspective to date, we’ve developed an enduring relationship with their team built on trust and reliability across multiple Electron missions. By flying as the dedicated customer, rather than ridesharing, we’ve put Synspective in control of their launch schedule and mission parameters, affording them a level of control over their mission not traditionally afforded to small satellite operators. We’re looking forward to placing another StriX satellite in orbit and supporting Synspective’s vision to enable persistent monitoring of our planet to support disaster relief, agricultural development, maritime domain awareness and much more.”

Rocket Lab has launched 14 missions to date in 2024, besting the Company’s previous annual launch record of 10 missions achieved in 2023.

Rocket Lab Images and Videos: www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlab/

About Synspective’s constellation:

Synspective's small SAR satellites, StriX, are equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor, which can observe the Earth's surface in any weather condition day or night. Not affected by clouds or rain, SAR is suitable for persistent monitoring of disasters and detailed changes to secure critical infrastructure and other facilities. Example use cases include:

• detecting anomalies in road, rail, energy and other infrastructure, resulting in lower maintenance costs and accident risk,
• monitoring crop growth conditions and analyzing soil and vegetation health to help reduce costs and increase efficiency for farmers,
• detecting illegal logging and fishing in the most remote parts of the world,
• providing rapid damage assessment after flooding, landslides and volcanic eruptions, as well as risk assessment for land subsidence,
• enabling the persistent monitoring of maritime traffic, border activities and other potential security threats, and advances maritime domain awareness,
• analyzing tree cover to calculate CO2 absorption and carbon credits.

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/20241205672685/en/

Rocket Lab Media Contact

Morgan Connaughton

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

When is Rocket Lab's next Electron mission scheduled for launch?

The next Rocket Lab Electron mission is scheduled to launch during a window opening on December 18th NZDT (December 17 UTC).

What is the purpose of the Rocket Lab mission for Synspective?

The mission aims to deploy a StriX satellite for Synspective, enhancing their Earth observation capabilities.

How many missions has Rocket Lab launched for Synspective so far?

Rocket Lab has launched six missions for Synspective out of a total of 16 planned.

What is the significance of Rocket Lab's partnership with Synspective?

Rocket Lab's partnership with Synspective underscores their role as the sole launch provider, offering dedicated launches that give Synspective control over their mission schedule and parameters.

How many missions has Rocket Lab completed in 2024?

Rocket Lab has completed 14 missions in 2024, surpassing their previous annual record of 10 missions in 2023.