Rocket Lab has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to launch two small satellites designed to test a future low Earth orbit positioning, navigation, and timing (LEO-PNT) constellation. This underscores Europe's continued need for external launch providers, despite recent statements about resolving the continent's "launcher crisis."
The launch, scheduled for no earlier than December, will utilize a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from its New Zealand launch complex. The two Pathfinder A satellites, one from GMV and the other from Thales Alenia Space, are the initial components of a planned 10-satellite constellation. They will be deployed into a 510-kilometer orbit. ESA's selection of Rocket Lab was driven by the need to activate their International Telecommunication Union spectrum allocation promptly. "This launch ensures the first European LEO-PNT satellites are in space before spring 2026, crucial for bringing the frequencies into use in compliance with the International Telecommunication Union,” stated Javier Benedicto, ESA’s director of navigation.
Weighing between 20 and 30 kilograms each, these cubesat-class spacecraft will undergo crucial technology testing and spectrum utilization for at least six months. The reliance on Rocket Lab, despite claims of ending Europe's launcher crisis, showcases the limitations of current European launch options for smaller payloads. Existing launch vehicles like Ariane 6 and Vega C have payload capacities far exceeding the needs of these satellites, making them unsuitable. While European companies are developing smaller rockets, none have yet achieved orbital launch capability.
"Launching a European mission on Electron that is integral to the future of Europe’s satellite navigation system is both an honor and a testament to our industry-leading launch service,” said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab's CEO. The Pathfinder A mission will be followed by eight larger Pathfinder B satellites by 2027, leveraging lessons learned. These will eventually inform the development of a full LEO-PNT constellation, supplementing Galileo.
The growing interest in LEO-PNT constellations stems from the desire for enhanced resilience against jamming. "It’s closer to the Earth so the signal is stronger and therefore you would need more power to jam it,” explained Hervé Derrey, Thales Alenia Space CEO. He envisions a full constellation requiring around 300 satellites, with funding potentially secured through the European Union's next multiannual financial framework starting in 2028. He anticipates ESA will seek funding at their November ministerial conference.