Rocket Lab has successfully deployed two satellites to orbit for real-time geospatial intelligence company BlackSky, bringing the total number of satellites deployed by Rocket Lab to 112.
The ‘Without Mission A Beat’ mission, arranged for BlackSky through global launch services provider Spaceflight, was Electron’s 25th lift-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. Following lift-off at 12:41 UTC, April 2, Electron successfully delivered the pair of BlackSky Gen-2 Earth-imaging satellites to a circular 430km orbit, growing BlackSky’s constellation of real-time geospatial monitoring spacecraft to 14.
BlackSky combines its satellite constellation, that provides high-frequency monitoring of the most strategic and critical locations in the world, with its software platform, Spectra AI, to deliver real-time alerts, data, and information to decision-makers across a range of industries.
BlackSky’s commissioning process for these latest two satellites is now underway to bring them into service as quickly as possible. The last pair of BlackSky satellites deployed by Rocket Lab began commercial operations and generated revenue within six days of launch.
Rocket Lab is contracted to launch another pair of BlackSky satellites on a dedicated Electron mission scheduled for later this year.
“Congratulations and welcome to space once again, BlackSky. The past few missions for BlackSky showcase the benefits of a dedicated launch on Electron: quick constellation expansion, streamlined access to space, and fast delivery of global insights to BlackSky customers. Rocket Lab is proud to play its part," Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, said.