Rocket Lab Successfully Launches 60th Electron, First of Multiple Missions for BlackSky
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has successfully completed its 60th Electron rocket launch, deploying BlackSky's first Gen-3 Earth-imaging satellite into a 470km orbit. The 'Fasten Your Space Belts' mission launched from New Zealand on February 19th, marking the ninth Electron launch for BlackSky since 2019.
This mission demonstrates Rocket Lab's increasing launch cadence, occurring just ten days after their previous launch. The company has established itself as BlackSky's primary launch provider, utilizing their proprietary Motorized Lightband separation system for satellite deployment.
The successful launch represents a significant milestone for BlackSky's constellation expansion, with their new Gen-3 satellite promising to deliver very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics. Rocket Lab plans additional dedicated Electron launches for BlackSky in 2025, alongside missions from Virginia and the anticipated debut of their new medium-lift reusable rocket, Neutron.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha completato con successo il suo 60° lancio del razzo Electron, mettendo in orbita il primo satellite per l'imaging terrestre di BlackSky della Gen-3 a 470 km. La missione 'Allaccia le cinture spaziali' è stata lanciata dalla Nuova Zelanda il 19 febbraio, segnando il nono lancio di Electron per BlackSky dal 2019.
Questa missione dimostra l'aumento della cadenza di lanci di Rocket Lab, avvenuta solo dieci giorni dopo il loro lancio precedente. L'azienda si è affermata come il principale fornitore di lanci per BlackSky, utilizzando il proprio sistema di separazione Motorized Lightband per il dispiegamento dei satelliti.
Il lancio di successo rappresenta un traguardo significativo per l'espansione della costellazione di BlackSky, con il loro nuovo satellite Gen-3 che promette di fornire immagini ad altissima risoluzione e analisi supportate dall'IA. Rocket Lab prevede ulteriori lanci dedicati di Electron per BlackSky nel 2025, insieme a missioni dalla Virginia e all'atteso debutto del loro nuovo razzo riutilizzabile di media portata, Neutron.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha completado con éxito su 60º lanzamiento del cohete Electron, desplegando el primer satélite de imágenes terrestres de tercera generación de BlackSky en una órbita de 470 km. La misión 'Abróchense los cinturones espaciales' se lanzó desde Nueva Zelanda el 19 de febrero, marcando el noveno lanzamiento de Electron para BlackSky desde 2019.
Esta misión demuestra el aumento en la cadencia de lanzamientos de Rocket Lab, que ocurrió solo diez días después de su lanzamiento anterior. La empresa se ha establecido como el principal proveedor de lanzamientos de BlackSky, utilizando su sistema de separación Motorized Lightband para el despliegue de satélites.
El lanzamiento exitoso representa un hito significativo para la expansión de la constelación de BlackSky, con su nuevo satélite Gen-3 que promete entregar imágenes de muy alta resolución y análisis habilitados por IA. Rocket Lab planea lanzamientos adicionales dedicados de Electron para BlackSky en 2025, junto con misiones desde Virginia y el anticipado debut de su nuevo cohete reutilizable de media capacidad, Neutron.
로켓랩 (RKLB)이 60번째 일렉트론 로켓 발사를 성공적으로 완료하고, 블랙스카이의 첫 번째 3세대 지구 관측 위성을 470km 궤도로 배치했습니다. '우주 안전벨트 매기기' 미션은 2월 19일 뉴질랜드에서 발사되었으며, 2019년 이후 블랙스카이를 위한 아홉 번째 일렉트론 발사입니다.
이번 미션은 로켓랩의 발사 빈도가 증가하고 있음을 보여주며, 이전 발사 후 단 10일 만에 이루어졌습니다. 이 회사는 블랙스카이의 주요 발사 제공자로 자리 잡았으며, 위성 배치를 위해 독자적인 모터라이즈 라이트밴드 분리 시스템을 사용하고 있습니다.
성공적인 발사는 블랙스카이의 별자리 확장을 위한 중요한 이정표를 나타내며, 새롭게 선보인 3세대 위성이 매우 고해상도 이미지를 제공하고 AI 기반 분석을 가능하게 할 것을 약속합니다. 로켓랩은 2025년 블랙스카이를 위한 추가 전용 일렉트론 발사를 계획하고 있으며, 버지니아에서의 미션과 새로운 중형 재사용 로켓인 뉴트론의 기대되는 데뷔도 함께 진행될 예정입니다.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) a réussi à réaliser son 60e lancement de la fusée Electron, déployant le premier satellite d'imagerie terrestre de troisième génération de BlackSky en orbite à 470 km. La mission 'Attachez vos ceintures spatiales' a été lancée depuis la Nouvelle-Zélande le 19 février, marquant le neuvième lancement d'Electron pour BlackSky depuis 2019.
Cette mission démontre l'augmentation de la cadence de lancement de Rocket Lab, survenue seulement dix jours après leur lancement précédent. L'entreprise s'est établie comme le principal fournisseur de lancement de BlackSky, utilisant son système de séparation Motorized Lightband pour le déploiement des satellites.
Le lancement réussi représente une étape significative pour l'expansion de la constellation de BlackSky, avec leur nouveau satellite Gen-3 promettant de fournir des images très haute résolution et des analyses assistées par IA. Rocket Lab prévoit d'autres lancements dédiés d'Electron pour BlackSky en 2025, aux côtés de missions depuis la Virginie et du lancement très attendu de leur nouvelle fusée réutilisable de taille moyenne, Neutron.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) hat erfolgreich seinen 60. Electron-Raketenstart abgeschlossen und den ersten Gen-3-Erderkundungssatelliten von BlackSky in eine Umlaufbahn von 470 km gebracht. Die Mission 'Schnallt euch an für den Weltraum' wurde am 19. Februar aus Neuseeland gestartet und markiert den neunten Electron-Start für BlackSky seit 2019.
Diese Mission zeigt die steigende Startfrequenz von Rocket Lab, die nur zehn Tage nach dem vorherigen Start stattfand. Das Unternehmen hat sich als Hauptstartanbieter für BlackSky etabliert und nutzt sein proprietäres Motorized Lightband-Trennsystem für den Satelliteneinsatz.
Der erfolgreiche Start stellt einen bedeutenden Meilenstein für die Erweiterung der Konstellation von BlackSky dar, wobei der neue Gen-3-Satellit verspricht, hochauflösende Bilder und KI-gestützte Analysen zu liefern. Rocket Lab plant weitere dedizierte Electron-Starts für BlackSky im Jahr 2025, zusammen mit Missionen aus Virginia und dem mit Spannung erwarteten Debüt ihres neuen wiederverwendbaren Mittelklasse-Raketen, Neutron.
- Successfully completed 60th Electron rocket launch
- Demonstrated rapid launch capability with two launches in 10 days
- Secured multiple future launches with BlackSky
- Maintains position as BlackSky's primary launch provider with 9 successful launches since 2019
- None.
Insights
The successful completion of Rocket Lab's 60th Electron mission represents more than just another launch - it demonstrates the company's evolution into a mature, reliable launch provider with impressive operational capabilities. The 10-day turnaround between launches is particularly noteworthy, as it showcases enhanced launch pad processing efficiency and validates the company's infrastructure investments.
The deployment of BlackSky's first Gen-3 satellite carries strategic significance beyond the immediate mission success. As BlackSky's ninth launch with Rocket Lab since 2019, this continued partnership illustrates RKLB's ability to secure and maintain long-term relationships with key constellation customers. The use of Rocket Lab's proprietary Motorized Lightband separation system across all BlackSky launches also highlights valuable vertical integration in their service offering.
The space industry is witnessing a clear shift toward constellation-based services, and Rocket Lab's demonstrated reliability in this segment positions them favorably. Their ability to provide precise orbital insertion within existing constellations is a critical differentiator in the small satellite launch market. The company's multi-launch agreement with BlackSky, combined with their expanding launch site capabilities in New Zealand and Virginia, creates a robust foundation for sustained growth in the constellation launch services sector.
Looking ahead, Rocket Lab's planned Neutron rocket debut could significantly expand their addressable market. The combination of proven small launch capabilities through Electron and upcoming medium-lift capacity with Neutron positions the company to capture a broader spectrum of the commercial space launch market, particularly in the growing constellation deployment segment.
The mission was the first of multiple launches on Electron for BlackSky and comes less than two weeks after Rocket Lab’s previous Electron launch.
MAHIA,
The ‘Fasten Your Space Belts’ mission lifted-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia,
‘Fasten Your Space Belts’ launched just ten days after Rocket Lab’s previous Electron launch from Launch Complex 1 as the Company continues to ramp up its Electron launch cadence and strengthened its standing as one of the world’s most frequently launched rockets. The successful mission was the ninth Electron launch for BlackSky since 2019, making Rocket Lab the most prolific launch provider for its constellation to date.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Electron has proven once again why it is the trusted and dependable rocket of choice for constellation builders like BlackSky: control over when they launch on a rocket that delivers meticulous orbital insertion within their constellation. It’s a service that really showcases Electron’s strength as a market leader in launch, and one we’re looking forward to providing again and again for our next launches for BlackSky.”
BlackSky CEO, Brian O’Toole, says: “The successful launch of our first Gen-3 satellite represents a major step forward in delivering transformative, next-generation space-based intelligence capabilities to our customers. We look forward to commissioning this new satellite and delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics at industry leading speeds.”
Today’s mission was the latest in a busy launch year for Rocket Lab in 2025, including more dedicated Electron launches to build out BlackSky’s constellation, missions from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in
Launch images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlab/albums/72177720323914590
Launch webcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv_Zw8UK3H0
+ 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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media@rocketlabusa.com
Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
FAQ
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