Rocket Lab Successfully Launches 60th Electron, First of Multiple Missions for BlackSky
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, 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 60th Electron to deploy the next satellite in the Earth-imaging satellite constellation of real-time space-based intelligence company BlackSky.
The ‘Fasten Your Space Belts’ mission lifted-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 12:17 NZDT on February 19th (23:15 UTC on February 18th), successfully deploying the first Gen-3 satellite by BlackSky to a 470km orbit, adding to the company’s growing low Earth orbit constellation. Gen-3 was deployed from a Rocket Lab Motorized Lightband, a separation system for satellites that Rocket Lab has provided BlackSky for each of its launches on Electron.
‘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 Virginia, and the debut launch of its new medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron.
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 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/20250218024161/en/
+ Rocket Lab Media Contact
Murielle Baker
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: Australia/Oceania New Zealand
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Defense Technology Satellite Aerospace Manufacturing Government Technology
MEDIA:
| Logo |
 |