Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) has successfully executed its second Electron rocket launch of the month, marking the 60th launch in the company’s history. The mission, aptly named ‘Fasten Your Space Belts,’ lifted off from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 12:17 p.m. NZDT on February 19 (6:17 p.m. EST, 2317 UTC on February 18).
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket stands at Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, ahead of the launch of BlackSky’s first Gen-3 satellite. Image: Rocket Lab
This flight carried the first of BlackSky’s Gen-3 Earth imaging satellites, a next-generation intelligence-gathering satellite designed to provide high-resolution geospatial analytics. This launch represents a significant step forward for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) as it continues to expand its satellite constellation to enhance global monitoring capabilities.
Rocket Lab’s Role in BlackSky’s Expansion
“Electron is a trusted and reliable constellation builder for companies like BlackSky, allowing them to be in control of how, when, and where to deploy their constellation,” said Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO. “BlackSky is one of our earliest and longest-standing commercial satellite customers, and it’s great to be heading back to the pad with them once again to continue to advance and expand their constellation.”
With this mission, Rocket Lab has now deployed a total of 210 satellites into orbit. To facilitate the deployment of the Gen-3 satellite, Rocket Lab utilized its Motorized Lightband separation system, ensuring precise placement into low Earth orbit.
As part of its ongoing efforts to develop a reusable launch system, Rocket Lab attempted to recover the Electron rocket’s first stage during this mission. While details on the success of the recovery effort remain undisclosed, the company continues to refine its booster retrieval process, aiming to further reduce costs and increase the frequency of launches.
Space-based intelligence company BlackSky prepares its first Gen-3 satellite for launch at its manufacturing facility in Tukwila, Wash. The Gen-3 constellation will offer customers new mission critical insights with the addition of very high-resolution, rapid-revisit 35-centimeter imagery and AI-enabled analytics delivered at industry-leading speed and scale. Image: Business Wire)
BlackSky, one of Rocket Lab’s most consistent customers since 2019, launched its first Gen-3 satellite less than two years after completing its Gen-2 constellation. This mission marks the ninth time Rocket Lab has delivered a payload for BlackSky, reflecting the strong partnership between the two companies.
In its Q3 2024 earnings report, BlackSky announced the acquisition of a strategic stake in Seattle-based satellite manufacturer LeoStella. This joint venture, formed with Thales Alenia Space U.S. Investment LLC, was completed in November 2024. BlackSky expects the acquisition to enhance its control over the Gen-3 supply chain and production processes, streamlining operations and ensuring more efficient satellite deployment.
CEO Brian O’Toole revealed that BlackSky has raised over $45 million to fully fund its baseline Gen-3 constellation plan. Following this first launch, the company aims to establish a consistent deployment schedule for Gen-3 satellites in 2025. When contacted by Spaceflight Now, BlackSky declined to specify the exact frequency of future launches.
The Gen-3 satellite, capable of capturing high-resolution images with a 35 cm resolution, will be deployed into a 470 km circular Earth orbit at a 59-degree inclination. Approximately 55 minutes after liftoff, the satellite will reach its designated orbit, beginning its mission to enhance global geospatial intelligence.
More than a dozen launches have contributed to the development of BlackSky’s Gen-2 constellation, with missions executed by Rocket Lab, SpaceX, and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). With the successful launch of its first Gen-3 satellite, BlackSky is now poised to enter the next phase of its expansion, leveraging advanced satellite technology to provide real-time, actionable intelligence to government and commercial clients worldwide.
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