Rocket Lab Launches Satellite for Synspective

Rocket Lab successfully concluded its 17th mission by deploying a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite into orbit for Synspective, a space startup headquartered in Tokyo. Synspective has secured over $100 million in funding to support its goals. The company intends to establish a network of 30 satellites capable of providing comprehensive Earth imaging, leveraging the advantages of SAR technology – including its ability to penetrate cloud cover, function during adverse weather, and operate effectively regardless of light levels.

This launch represents Synspective’s inaugural satellite deployment, originating from Rocket Lab’s launch complex located on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. The satellite will be positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit roughly 300,000 miles above Earth. It will serve as a technology demonstrator, validating the startup’s systems in preparation for the complete constellation. This constellation will deliver commercially accessible SAR data, both in its raw form and as refined information processed through the company’s developing artificial intelligence capabilities, offering analytical insights.

This mission signifies a productive year for Rocket Lab’s launch activities. The company also made important initial progress towards achieving partial reusability of its Electron launch vehicle. The company experienced one challenge during the year, with a mission in July failing to place its payloads into their intended orbit. However, Rocket Lab swiftly addressed the issue and implemented enhancements to mitigate the risk of recurrence.

Looking ahead to 2021, Rocket Lab plans to conduct its first launch from U.S. soil, utilizing its new launch site at Wallops Island, Virginia. While originally scheduled for 2020, the launch was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent NASA certification requirement for a specific system.