Rocket Lab successfully launched the final five satellites for French company Kinéis' Internet of Things (IoT) constellation on March 17, completing a series of five dedicated missions. The Electron rocket carrying the payload lifted off from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 9:31 p.m. EDT (0131 GMT on March 18), or 2:31 p.m. local time.
A Rocket Lab Electron lifted off March 17 on the fifth and final launch of satellite for French company Kinéis. Credit: Rocket Lab webcast
Roughly 66.5 minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s kick stage deployed the five satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit approximately 404 miles (650 kilometers) above Earth. This marked the last launch under the contract signed by Rocket Lab and Kinéis in 2021, which aimed to build a 25-satellite IoT constellation. Each mission carried five satellites, weighing 28 kilograms apiece. The launches began in June 2024, followed by missions in September, November, and February 2025.
The Kinéis constellation will provide global IoT connectivity, including vessel tracking through Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders. The company plans to begin commercial services on June 1, offering data with a latency of no more than 15 minutes.
“Since 2018, we have led an ambitious project, and this final launch marks the culmination of an exceptional effort alongside strong partners like Rocket Lab,” said Christophe Vassal, chairman of Kinéis' supervisory board. “Deploying our entire IoT-dedicated constellation in under a year is a remarkable achievement. This marks the beginning of a new era, where the data collected by our satellites will unlock numerous opportunities for our clients and partners.”
Kinéis expects to achieve profitability this year, with projected annual revenues of €20 million ($22 million) by 2026, aiming to grow that figure to €100 million over the next eight years.
For Rocket Lab, this was the second launch in just over 72 hours, following a March 14 mission that deployed a radar imaging satellite for Japanese company iQPS. It was also the company’s fourth launch of 2025, with plans to exceed 20 Electron missions this year, including flights of the HASTE suborbital variant.
“Many constellation operators wait years for their first mission, but we deployed Kinéis’ entire constellation in under a year through dedicated launches, giving them full control over the launch site, schedule, and orbital parameters,” said Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab.
Rocket Lab continues to position its Electron rocket as a go-to vehicle for constellation deployments, offering flexibility and precision. The company’s dedicated missions provide customers with greater control over their satellite placements compared to shared rideshare launches, such as those offered by SpaceX.
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