Rocket Lab Successfully Deploys Satellite for Synspective, Caps Off Year with 60% Increase in Launches YoY
Rocket Lab (RKLB) successfully completed its 16th launch of 2024, deploying a satellite for Japanese Earth-observation company Synspective from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. This mission, dubbed 'Owl The Way Up,' marks the sixth launch for Synspective out of 16 total launches booked on Electron.
The company achieved a significant 60% increase in launch cadence year-over-year, up from 10 missions in 2023, while maintaining a 100% mission success rate throughout 2024. Notable achievements included missions for NASA, the NRO, commercial constellation deployments, and a world-first launch of two missions from different hemispheres within 24 hours.
The StriX satellite deployment continues Rocket Lab's role as Synspective's sole launch provider since December 2020. The next Electron launch is scheduled for Q1 2025.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha completato con successo il suo 16° lancio del 2024, effettuando il dispiegamento di un satellite per la compagnia giapponese di osservazione della Terra Synspective dal Launch Complex 1 in Nuova Zelanda. Questa missione, denominata 'Owl The Way Up', segna il sesto lancio per Synspective su un totale di 16 lanci prenotati su Electron.
La compagnia ha raggiunto un incremento significativo del 60% nella cadenza di lanci anno dopo anno, passando da 10 missioni nel 2023, mantenendo un tasso di successo del 100% in tutte le missioni del 2024. Tra i risultati notevoli ci sono state missioni per la NASA, la NRO, dispiegamenti di costellazioni commerciali, e un lancio mondiale senza precedenti di due missioni da emisferi diversi nell'arco di 24 ore.
Il dispiegamento del satellite StriX continua il ruolo di Rocket Lab come unico fornitore di lanci per Synspective dal dicembre 2020. Il prossimo lancio di Electron è programmato per il primo trimestre del 2025.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) completó con éxito su décimo sexto lanzamiento de 2024, desplegando un satélite para la empresa japonesa de observación de la Tierra Synspective desde el Launch Complex 1 en Nueva Zelanda. Esta misión, denominada 'Owl The Way Up', marca el sexto lanzamiento para Synspective de un total de 16 lanzamientos reservados en Electron.
La compañía logró un aumento significativo del 60% en la cadencia de lanzamientos año tras año, subiendo desde 10 misiones en 2023, mientras mantenía una tasa de éxito del 100% a lo largo de 2024. Los logros notables incluyeron misiones para la NASA, la NRO, despliegues de constelaciones comerciales, y un lanzamiento mundial sin precedentes de dos misiones desde diferentes hemisferios en 24 horas.
El despliegue del satélite StriX continúa el papel de Rocket Lab como único proveedor de lanzamientos de Synspective desde diciembre de 2020. El próximo lanzamiento de Electron está programado para el primer trimestre de 2025.
로켓랩(RKLB)는 2024년 16번째 발사를 성공적으로 완료하였으며, 뉴질랜드의 발사 복합체 1에서 일본 지구 관측 회사인 신스펙티브를 위한 위성을 발사했습니다. 'Owl The Way Up'이라는 이름이 붙여진 이 미션은 신스펙티브의 16개 예약 발사 중 여섯 번째 발사입니다.
회사는 2023년 10회 비행에서 연간 60%라는 상당한 발사 빈도 증가를 달성하였으며, 2024년 동안 100%의 미션 성공률을 유지했습니다. 주요 성과로는 NASA, NRO를 위한 미션, 상업적 위성 배치, 24시간 이내의 서로 다른 반구에서 두 개의 미션을 동시에 발사하는 세계 최초의 성과가 포함됩니다.
StriX 위성 발사는 2020년 12월 이후 신스펙티브의 유일한 발사 제공업체로서 로켓랩의 역할을 계속하고 있습니다. 다음 Electron 발사는 2025년 1분기로 예정되어 있습니다.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) a réalisé avec succès son 16ème lancement de 2024, déployant un satellite pour la société japonaise d'observation de la Terre Synspective depuis le Launch Complex 1 en Nouvelle-Zélande. Cette mission, intitulée 'Owl The Way Up', marque le sixième lancement pour Synspective sur un total de 16 lancements réservés sur Electron.
La société a réalisé une augmentation significative de 60 % de sa cadence de lancements d'une année sur l'autre, passant de 10 missions en 2023, tout en maintenant un taux de réussite de 100 % tout au long de l'année 2024. Les réalisations notables comprenaient des missions pour la NASA, la NRO, des déploiements de constellations commerciales et un lancement mondial record de deux missions depuis des hémisphères différents dans les 24 heures.
Le déploiement du satellite StriX continue de renforcer le rôle de Rocket Lab en tant que fournisseur exclusif de lancements pour Synspective depuis décembre 2020. Le prochain lancement d'Electron est prévu pour le premier trimestre 2025.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) hat erfolgreich seinen 16. Start des Jahres 2024 abgeschlossen und einen Satelliten für das japanische Erdbeobachtungsunternehmen Synspective vom Launch Complex 1 in Neuseeland eingesetzt. Diese Mission mit dem Titel 'Owl The Way Up' ist der sechste Start für Synspective von insgesamt 16 gebuchten Starts auf Electron.
Das Unternehmen erzielte einen signifikanten Anstieg der Startfrequenz um 60% im Vergleich zum Vorjahr, verglichen mit 10 Missionen im Jahr 2023, und hielt während des gesamten Jahres 2024 eine Erfolgsquote von 100%. Zu den bemerkenswerten Leistungen gehörten Missionen für die NASA, die NRO, kommerzielle Satellitengruppen und ein weltweiter Rekordstart von zwei Missionen aus verschiedenen Hemisphären innerhalb von 24 Stunden.
Der Einsatz des StriX-Satelliten setzt die Rolle von Rocket Lab als alleiniger Anbieter von Starts für Synspective seit Dezember 2020 fort. Der nächste Electron-Start ist für das erste Quartal 2025 geplant.
- 60% increase in annual launches (16 in 2024 vs 10 in 2023)
- 100% mission success rate maintained throughout 2024
- Secured long-term customer relationship with Synspective (16 launches booked)
- Demonstrated operational capability with two launches in different hemispheres within 24 hours
- None.
Insights
The successful completion of Rocket Lab's 16th launch for 2024 marks a pivotal achievement in the small satellite launch sector. The 60% year-over-year increase in launch cadence, rising from 10 to 16 missions, demonstrates remarkable operational scalability and market demand. The consistent 100% mission success rate throughout 2024 significantly strengthens RKLB's competitive position in the commercial space launch market.
The continued partnership with Synspective, now at 6 launches out of 16 contracted missions, indicates strong customer retention and reliable revenue streams. This steady flow of constellation deployment contracts is particularly valuable in the space industry, where long-term customer relationships drive sustainable growth. The successful execution of rapid-succession launches, including the milestone of two missions from different hemispheres within 24 hours, showcases operational excellence that could attract premium pricing power.
Looking ahead, the planned introduction of the Neutron rocket positions RKLB to capture market share in the medium-lift segment, potentially expanding their addressable market significantly. The diverse customer base, including NASA, NRO and commercial operators, provides revenue diversification and reduces dependency on any single client sector.
The operational metrics revealed in this announcement carry substantial implications for RKLB's financial trajectory. The 60% increase in launch frequency directly correlates with potential revenue growth, assuming stable pricing. With a market cap of
The perfect mission success rate in 2024 is particularly important for maintaining insurance costs and protecting profit margins. The expansion of services to include HASTE missions and the upcoming Neutron rocket suggests multiple revenue diversification opportunities. The stable relationship with Synspective, evidenced by their continued exclusive launch partnership, provides predictable revenue streams - a valuable asset in the space industry where contract stability is paramount.
The company's ability to execute dual-hemisphere launches within 24 hours demonstrates operational efficiency that could lead to improved asset utilization and better cost absorption. This operational leverage could translate into margin expansion as fixed costs are distributed across a higher number of launches.
The mission was Rocket Lab’s 16th launch for the year and sixth launch to date for Japanese Earth-observation company Synspective
MAHIA,
Rocket Lab successfully launches its 16th Electron rocket of the year, deploying a satellite to orbit for Japanese constellation operator Synspective. (Photo: Business Wire)
The “Owl The Way Up” mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia,
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Mission success once again for Synspective, capping off our busiest launch year to date. We look forward to continuing to increase our launch cadence in the new year as we strengthen Electron’s position as the leading small rocket globally, and also enter the medium launch market with Neutron’s debut. In 2024 we launched missions for NASA, the NRO, deployed multiple missions for commercial constellation operators like Synspective, launched suborbital HASTE missions advancing hypersonic flight test capability, and to top it all off, we achieved a world first by launching two missions from two different hemispheres in less than 24 hours. Thank you and congratulations to the Rocket Lab team, our customers, and our mission partners for another stellar year.”
Rocket Lab launched 16 missions in 2024, besting the Company’s previous annual launch record of 10 missions, achieved in 2023 and representing a launch cadence increase of
Rocket Lab Images and Videos: www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlab/
Launch webcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7VZB4pHJrQ
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 rainSAR 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
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/20241221492452/en/
Rocket Lab Media Contact
Morgan Connaughton
media@rocketlabusa.com
Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
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