Rocket Lab successfully launched a fourth set of satellites for French company Kinéis on Feb. 8, solidifying its position as a leader in the small launch sector. The launch marks the fourth of five planned missions for Kinéis, a company developing a constellation for Internet of Things (IoT) services.
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 1, Pad A, at 3:43 p.m. Eastern. The vehicle's kick stage deployed its payload of five satellites into orbits with planned altitudes of 646 kilometers and inclinations of 97 degrees, approximately an hour after liftoff.
The launch follows previous deployments in June, September, and November 2024. Kinéis executives initially projected full constellation service by mid-2025, with initial services, including IoT communications and Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking, starting in early 2025 using the first 10 satellites. However, the company has not provided updates on these timelines since then.
In December 2024, Kinéis announced that its founding chief executive, Alexandre Tisserant, had stepped down. The company did not disclose a reason for his departure. Christophe Vassal, chair of the company's supervisory board, is currently leading Kinéis, with plans to hire a new chief executive in the first quarter of 2025.
Rocket Lab's launch marks the first of the year for the company, which conducted 16 Electron launches in 2024, including two of the HASTE suborbital variant of the rocket. The company has not disclosed a specific target for 2025 but stated it projects exceeding its 2024 launch numbers.
Rocket Lab's success in the small launch market is attributed to its ability to provide dedicated launches for smallsats, a niche that many of its competitors have struggled to fill. Peter Beck, founder and chief executive of Rocket Lab, emphasized the company's focus on meeting the needs of customers seeking dedicated launches and willing to pay a premium compared to rideshare alternatives.
In addition to the Kinéis launches, Rocket Lab announced a contract with Japanese company Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) for four Electron launches of radar imaging satellites. Three of these launches are scheduled for 2025, and the fourth for 2026, each carrying a single iQPS satellite.
Beck highlighted Electron's suitability for deploying constellations, emphasizing the need for precise orbits and tailored timelines to maximize data collection and service provision. He also expressed confidence in the company's ability to compete with emerging "super heavy" rockets like SpaceX's Starship, arguing that they cater to specific needs and do not replace the market for smaller launch vehicles.