Rocket Lab Successfully Completes Latest Launch with Capella Space

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) successfully launched its 52nd Electron rocket, deploying a Capella Space satellite to low Earth orbit. The mission, named 'A Sky Full of SARs', took off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on August 12th. This marks the fifth launch for Capella since their first mission with Rocket Lab in August 2020.

The launch deployed Capella's third-generation SAR Acadia satellite to a 615km orbit. Rocket Lab provided a custom extended fairing and separation system for the payload. CEO Peter Beck highlighted Electron's reliability as a constellation builder, noting the company's nine successful missions in 2024 so far.

Rocket Lab recently announced a record ten-launch contract with Synspective, with additional launches scheduled for BlackSky and Kinéis. The company aims to achieve its busiest launch year in 2024.

Positive

• Successfully completed 52nd Electron rocket launch
• Deployed Capella Space satellite to low Earth orbit
• Completed 5th launch for Capella Space since August 2020
• Provided custom extended fairing and separation system
• Achieved 9 successful missions in 2024 so far
• Secured record ten-launch contract with Synspective
• Additional launches scheduled for BlackSky and Kinéis

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Rocket Lab's successful launch of its 52nd Electron rocket marks another milestone in its multi-launch contract with Capella Space. This demonstrates Rocket Lab's consistent execution and growing market share in the small satellite launch sector. The company's ability to provide customized solutions, such as the extended fairing for this mission, showcases its flexibility in meeting client needs.

With nine missions completed this year and plans for increased launch cadence, Rocket Lab is positioning itself for potential revenue growth in 2024. The recently announced record ten-launch contract with Synspective and ongoing multi-launch agreements with other clients indicate a strong order book, which could translate to improved financial performance. Investors should monitor Rocket Lab's ability to scale operations and maintain profitability as launch frequency increases.

Space Industry Analyst

Rocket Lab's consistent performance in deploying Capella Space's SAR satellites underscores its reliability as a constellation builder. The company's ability to offer precise orbital insertions and flexible launch schedules is important for clients like Capella Space who need to iteratively build out their constellations. This capability positions Rocket Lab favorably in the competitive small satellite launch market.

The company's diverse launch site options, including two in New Zealand and one in Virginia, provide strategic flexibility and redundancy. This could be particularly appealing to government and commercial clients seeking assured access to space. As Rocket Lab aims for its busiest launch year in 2024, its ability to maintain high launch cadence while ensuring reliability will be critical to its success and market position in the rapidly evolving space industry landscape.

Technology Analyst

Rocket Lab's successful deployment of Capella Space's SAR satellite highlights the growing importance of Earth observation technologies. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities offer all-weather, day-and-night imaging, which is increasingly valuable for various applications including disaster response, maritime monitoring and defense intelligence.

The company's expansion beyond launch services into satellite manufacture and on-orbit management demonstrates its evolution into a full-stack space solutions provider. This vertical integration could lead to improved margins and competitive advantages. Rocket Lab's involvement in NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus, showcases its technological prowess and potential for future high-profile contracts. Investors should consider how these capabilities position Rocket Lab in the broader space technology ecosystem.

The mission was the latest in a multi-launch contract with Capella Space to deploy a series of its Acadia satellites to low Earth orbit for its Earth-imaging 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 52^nd Electron rocket and deployed a single satellite to low Earth orbit for Capella Space (Capella).

The mission, named “A Sky Full of SARs” in a nod to the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capabilities of Capella’s spacecraft, lifted off at 01:18 AM New Zealand Standard Time on August 12^th from Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab’s private orbital launch site on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. The mission deployed the next of Capella’s third-generation SAR Acadia satellites to a mid-inclination 615km low Earth orbit. In addition to the launch service, Rocket Lab provided a custom extended fairing on Electron to encompass the payload before Capella’s satellite was deployed to space from a Rocket Lab-produced separation system.

The mission was the fifth launch for Capella that’s taken place since Capella’s first mission on Electron in August 2020. That mission, called “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Optical”, launched from Launch Complex 1 to deploy the very first satellite in Capella’s SAR constellation. Subsequent successful missions include the “Stronger Together” mission launched for Capella from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia, in March 2023 and the “We Love The Nightlife” mission launched from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand just five months later in August 2023.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck says: “Electron is a reliable constellation builder, providing precise and dedicated deployment to unique orbits that allows satellite operators like Capella to iteratively build out their constellation when and where they need to. I’m proud of the team for delivering this latest successful mission for Capella and for successfully delivering nine missions so far this year as Electron’s launch cadence continues to ramp up. With many more missions scheduled in the coming weeks and months, we look forward to delivering our busiest launch year yet in 2024.”

The launch window for Rocket Lab’s next Electron mission will be announced in the coming days. Most recently Rocket Lab announced a record ten launch contract with Japanese Earth observation company Synspective, with another two launches in addition to that contract already booked and scheduled for launch on Electron this year. Other satellite operators expected to launch this year under existing multi-launch contracts with Rocket Lab include space-based intelligence company BlackSky and French Internet-of-Things (IoT) company Kinéis.

+ 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 192 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 family of spacecraft have 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/20240811249038/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Murielle Baker

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

When did Rocket Lab (RKLB) launch its 52nd Electron rocket for Capella Space?

Rocket Lab launched its 52nd Electron rocket for Capella Space on August 12th, 2024, at 01:18 AM New Zealand Standard Time.

What was the name of Rocket Lab's (RKLB) latest mission for Capella Space?

The latest Rocket Lab mission for Capella Space was named 'A Sky Full of SARs', referencing the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capabilities of Capella's spacecraft.

How many successful launches has Rocket Lab (RKLB) completed in 2024 so far?

According to the press release, Rocket Lab has successfully completed nine missions so far in 2024.

What is the orbital altitude of the Capella Space satellite deployed by Rocket Lab (RKLB)?

The Capella Space satellite was deployed to a mid-inclination 615km low Earth orbit.