Multi-Launch Agreement Reached Between Rocket Lab and Synspective

A multi-launch agreement has been reached between Rocket Lab and Japanese Earth imaging company Synspective for two dedicated Electron launches. The new missions bring the total number of Electron launches contracted by Synspective to six.

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with the continued deployment of Synspective’s constellation."

Peter Beck, Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab has been launching for Synspective since 2020 when the Company deployed the first satellite in Synspective’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation, which is designed to deliver imagery that can detect millimeter-level changes to the Earth’s surface from space. Since that first mission, Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for Synspective’s StriX constellation to date, successfully deploying three StriX satellites across three dedicated Electron launches. Including the two new missions, Rocket Lab is now scheduled to launch three missions for Synspective beginning in late 2023 from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with the continued deployment of Synspective’s constellation. We’re proud to enable them to build out their constellation with precision and efficiency, giving Synspective ultimate schedule and orbit flexibility with frequent dedicated launch opportunities," said Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Peter Beck.

Multi-Launch Agreement Gives Synspective Control in Scheduling

In addition to providing Synspective with a high degree of control over schedule and orbit by flying as a dedicated mission, Rocket Lab also delivers the unique ability to perform an advanced mid-mission maneuver with the Electron rocket’s Kick Stage to shield the StriX satellite from the sun to reduce radiation exposure ahead of payload deployment.

“As we celebrate our three-year partnership with Rocket Lab, which began with our first StriX-α satellite in 2020, we are thrilled to entrust them with two more contracts for our StriX satellite launches," said Synspective founder and CEO, Dr. Motoyuki Arai. "Their unwavering reliability and precision have been pivotal to our successful deployments. We’re looking forward to the upcoming launches and the new insights to enhance our satellite data and solution service in line with our customer needs.”

Synspective joins several commercial constellation operators that have signed multi-launch agreements on Electron this year, including HawkEye 360 and Capella Space.

Previous Rocket Lab Launches for Synspective:

• The Owl’s Night Begins: 15 December 2020

• The Owl’s Night Continues: 28 February 2022

• The Owl Spreads Its Wings: 15 September 2022

(Source: Rocket Lab news release. Images provided and from file)