Rocket LabPropels Another Group of Satellites for Kinéis Satellite Arena
Rocket Lab's 59th Electron Mission Successfully Deploys Kinéis Constellation
In a significant milestone for the satellite industry, Rocket Lab USA launched its 59th Electron mission on February 9, 2025, at 9:43 am NZDT (20:43 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. This mission marked the deployment of five satellites for French Internet of Things (IoT) constellation operator Kinéis, bringing the constellation one step closer to its goal of delivering global IoT coverage.
The Kinéis constellation, designed to connect and locate any connected object anywhere in the world, is now fully operational. This constellation, consisting of 25 nanosatellites, has been launched into a 647 km low Earth orbit and enables near-real-time data transmission, low bit rates, and very low energy consumption.
Michel Sarthou, the CTO of Kinéis, expressed his satisfaction, stating that they had produced and launched 25 nanosatellites in just eight months. Peter Beck, the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, added that they would deploy Kinéis' entire constellation in less than a year.
The mission highlights the strength of Electron as a pinpoint accurate constellation launcher. The success of this mission reinforces Electron's reputation as a reliable and efficient launch vehicle for small satellite missions.
With this fourth and penultimate launch, Kinéis moves one step closer to its goal of delivering global IoT coverage through a complete constellation of 25 nanosatellites. This development aligns with the broader market trend where satellite IoT complements terrestrial networks to ensure continuous, worldwide connectivity demanded by numerous verticals such as asset tracking, environmental monitoring, and emergency management.
The Kinéis constellation supports various applications, including forest fire detection, water resource management, infrastructure and energy network monitoring, transport and logistics tracking, and more. The constellation's ability to provide continuous space-based IoT connectivity globally, complementing terrestrial IoT systems, is expected to revolutionise these industries.
Following this successful launch, the focus now shifts to the next Electron launch, scheduled for February, with the specific launch window and customer details to be announced in the coming days. The launch date for the fifth Kinéis launch will be announced in the coming weeks.
This mission showcases the expertise and determination of Kinéis' teams and partners like Rocket Lab. The completion of Kinéis' satellite network marks a significant step towards ubiquitous satellite IoT coverage, promising a future where IoT devices can be connected and located anywhere on the planet, ensuring seamless coverage even in remote or previously uncovered areas.
The successful deployment of the Kinéis Constellation, consisting of 25 nanosatellites launched by Rocket Lab's Electron mission, is a testament to the advancements in space-and-astronomy technology. This development marks a significant stride towards global Internet of Things (IoT) coverage, showcasing the potential of science and technology to revolutionize various industries.
