Rocket Lab confirms launch date for second Kineis IoT constellation mission

Written by Copernical Team Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 05, 2024

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has announced the launch window for its 53rd Electron mission. This mission will be the second of five dedicated launches for the French company Kineis. The mission, named 'Kineis Killed the RadIOT Star,' is set to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, within a 14-day window starting on September 17, 2024, NZST. Following just th

Rocket Lab confirms launch date for second Kineis IoT constellation mission
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 05, 2024

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has announced the launch window for its 53rd Electron mission. This mission will be the second of five dedicated launches for the French company Kineis. The mission, named 'Kineis Killed the RadIOT Star,' is set to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, within a 14-day window starting on September 17, 2024, NZST.

Following just three months after the 'No Time Toulouse' mission, this will be the second of five planned launches for Kineis, which is backed by both private and public investors, including CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites).

The mission aims to enhance global Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity by deploying more powerful nanosatellites weighing 30kg each, integrating advanced IoT technology. Additionally, the constellation will include a ship-tracking Automatic Identification System (AIS). These technologies will allow Kineis to expand its network from 20,000 connected devices to millions, addressing critical global challenges across multiple industries.

"We're excited to welcome the Kineis team on board Electron again as we help them build out their constellation," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck. "Dedicated launch is key for the kind of precise orbital deployment requirements many constellation operators need, so we're proud to make that possible once again."

"The Kineis teams are ready to build on the success of the first launch. They have capitalized on this first and delicate technical experience of putting our first five satellites into position and are delivering a real technical performance in managing the five new satellites simultaneously, in addition to the five already in the air," said Alexandre Tisserant, Chairman of Kineis.

"Rocket Lab's Electron launcher made a major contribution to this success, thanks to the precision with which it injected our nanosatellites into their positions. The IoT revolution is underway. Thanks to our space-based connectivity, we'll be able to connect any object anywhere in the world in near real time. Go Kineis!"

The 'Kineis Killed the RadIOT Star' mission has been customized to meet Kineis' specific requirements, offering greater control over launch scheduling, orbital parameters, and deployment than would be available through larger rideshare missions. The tailored mission parameters include:

- An instantaneous launch window.

- Following the first Curie engine burn to circularize the Kick Stage's orbit, Curie will ignite again for an eight-second burn to set a specific argument of perigee, enabling precise deployment of five satellites.

- All five satellites will be deployed in a specific sequence, individually and in pairs, to complete the constellation according to Kineis' design.

- Curie will then perform a perigee lowering burn to reduce the Kick Stage's orbital lifetime, supporting space sustainability.