Rocket Lab concluded the deployment of a constellation of 25 Internet-of-Things (IoT) satellites for the French company Kinéis on March 17th. An Electron rocket launched from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, deploying five satellites into sun-synchronous orbits at an altitude of 650 kilometers.
This mission marked the fifth and final launch under a contract signed in 2021. Each launch delivered five 28-kilogram satellites, completing the constellation. Previous launches occurred in June, September, and November 2024, and February 8th.
The satellites will provide IoT communications and vessel tracking using Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders. Kinéis plans to commence commercial services on June 1, offering data with a latency of under 15 minutes. “Since 2018, we have led an ambitious project and this launch, the final one in a series of five, crowns an exceptional effort carried out with solid partners like Rocket Lab, enabling the deployment of our IoT-dedicated constellation in less than a year,” stated Christophe Vassal, chairman of the supervisory board of Kinéis. “This achievement marks the beginning of a new era for Kinéis, where the data collected by our constellation will unlock numerous opportunities for our clients and partners.”
Kinéis projects profitability this year and anticipates 20 million euros ($22 million) in annual revenue by 2026, escalating to 100 million euros within eight years. This launch followed another Electron launch just 72 hours prior, carrying a radar imaging satellite for iQPS.
This was Rocket Lab’s fourth launch in 2025, with plans for over 20 Electron launches this year, including the HASTE suborbital version. “Many constellation operators wait years for their first mission, but we’ve deployed Kinéis’ mission in under a year and with 100% dedicated launches where they have been able to select launch site, date, and orbital parameters allowing them to maximize coverage for each of their 25 spacecraft,” said Peter Beck, chief executive of Rocket Lab. All Electron missions this year have been for customers deploying constellations, showcasing Electron's suitability for this role.