Rocket Lab announced on January 22 a contract to swiftly launch eight wildfire-monitoring satellites for German company OroraTech. The launch, utilizing an Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, is anticipated within a few weeks, according to a social media post. While the official press release didn't specify a launch date, the speed of this mission is noteworthy.
OroraTech is constructing a constellation of satellites designed to detect and monitor wildfires, delivering crucial early warnings to emergency responders. Their FOREST-3 satellite successfully launched on January 14 via the SpaceX Transporter-12 mission. Following a €25 million funding round in October 2024, OroraTech announced plans for two further eight-satellite deployments in 2024, and this Rocket Lab launch fulfills that ambition.
The ultimate goal is a 100-satellite constellation. Rocket Lab's rapid response, completing the launch within four months of contract signing, underscores the urgency of the mission. “Knowing that time is of the essence to get these satellites in space, we’re proud to be rising to the challenge and supporting the OroraTech mission to better monitor for and protect against these devastating natural disasters globally,” stated Peter Beck, Rocket Lab's chief executive.
This launch showcases the advantages of dedicated launches over rideshare options. Beck highlighted this: “This launch is a showcase of all the benefits of flying dedicated on Electron: control over schedule, agility and ability to meet tight deadlines and mission requirements, and the reliability of launching on the world’s most frequently launched small orbital rocket.” This further emphasizes Rocket Lab's competitive edge in the small launch market.
Rocket Lab also announced its first 2025 launch on January 21, a mission for Kinéis involving five satellites, scheduled for no earlier than February 3. In 2024, Rocket Lab executed 16 Electron launches, including two suborbital HASTE missions. They aim to surpass this number in 2025 and are also progressing towards their first Neutron launch, potentially as early as mid-year.