Mahia, New Zealand – Rocket Lab successfully launched a fourth batch of satellites for Kinéis, a French company developing an Internet of Things (IoT) satellite constellation, further strengthening its position as the leading provider of small satellite launches.
Credit: Rocket Lab webcast
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 1, Pad A, at 3:43 p.m. Eastern, deploying five Kinéis satellites into their planned orbit. About an hour after liftoff, the rocket’s kick stage released the satellites into a 646-kilometer, 97-degree inclination orbit, marking another step toward completing the Kinéis constellation.
This mission is the fourth of five planned Electron launches for Kinéis under a contract signed in 2021, aimed at deploying the company's full satellite network. Rocket Lab previously launched Kinéis satellites in June, September, and November 2024, with the final launch expected later this year.
Kinéis is developing a 25-satellite constellation to provide global IoT connectivity and Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking, enabling industries such as maritime, agriculture, and logistics to transmit data from remote locations.
The company initially projected that early services would begin in 2025 with its first 10 satellites. While Kinéis has not provided recent updates, it previously indicated that the full constellation should be operational by mid-2025.
The company is also undergoing a leadership transition following the departure of founding CEO Alexandre Tisserant in December 2024. Christophe Vassal, chairman of Kinéis' supervisory board, is serving as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent successor, expected to be appointed in the first quarter of 2025.
“I am proud to leave Kinéis after many exciting years filled with collective success and ambitious projects,” Tisserant said in a statement. “I am confident that the company is now solidly positioned to continue its growth and development.”
Rocket Lab’s Growing Market Dominance
This mission marks Rocket Lab’s first launch of 2025, following a record-setting 16 Electron launches in 2024, including two flights of its HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) variant. While the company has not disclosed an exact launch target for 2025, it has indicated plans to surpass last year’s launch total.
Rocket Lab’s consistent launch cadence has solidified its leadership in the small satellite launch sector, particularly as many competitors struggle with technical and financial hurdles.
At the Smallsat Symposium on February 4, Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck emphasized that dedicated small satellite launches remain in high demand, even as rideshare options—such as SpaceX’s Transporter and Bandwagon missions—offer lower-cost alternatives.
“Most people thought that would be the end of small launch,” Beck said of the growing popularity of rideshare missions. “But, in fact, it wasn’t at all. Small launch has continued to grow and grow, and every year we sign more and more deals and do more and more launches.”
Expanding Beyond Kinéis: Rocket Lab Secures New Contracts
Rocket Lab’s success in the small satellite launch market continues to attract new customers. On February 4, the company announced a new contract with the Japanese firm Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) to launch four radar imaging satellites on dedicated Electron missions. Three of these launches are scheduled for 2025, with the fourth in 2026. Each mission will carry a single iQPS satellite, demonstrating Rocket Lab’s capability for precision deployments tailored to individual customer needs.
Beck highlighted this strength, stating that Electron is particularly well-suited for constellation deployments that require precise orbital insertion on tailored timelines to maximize data collection and service efficiency.
“This is the unique and reliable service that dedicated launch on Electron delivers,” Beck said.
The Future of Small Launch in a Changing Market
Despite the rise of large launch vehicles, including SpaceX’s Starship, Beck remains confident in the continued demand for small launch services. He compared the situation to the aviation industry, noting that while massive aircraft like the Airbus A380 serve specific purposes, they have not eliminated the need for smaller, more flexible planes.
“Super heavies are going to be amazing for interplanetary and a whole bunch of cool stuff,” Beck said. “But I don’t subscribe to the view that they destroy all launch.”
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