Rocket Lab set to boost Capella's satellite constellation with upcoming launch

Rocket Lab set to boost Capella's satellite constellation with upcoming launch
by Brad Bartz
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 25, 2023

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has scheduled its next Electron launch during a window that opens 28 July 2023 NZST/UTC.

The mission, named 'We Love the Nightlife,' is slated to commence during a launch window that opens on July 28, 2023 NZST/UTC. The launch site will be Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, positioned on New Zealand's picturesque Mahia Peninsula.

American space tech firm, Capella Space, will be the benefactor of this launch. Recognized as a forerunner in the realm of commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, Capella is leveraging Rocket Lab's proficiency in small satellite launches to enrich its SAR constellation.

The 'We Love the Nightlife' mission follows two previous Rocket Lab launches for Capella. The inaugural launch, dubbed 'I Can't Believe It's Not Optical,' took place in August 2020 from Launch Complex 1, deploying the first satellite of Capella's SAR constellation. Then, in March 2023, Rocket Lab launched the 'Stronger Together' mission from its second launch complex in Virginia, USA.

This upcoming mission serves as the first of four confirmed Rocket Lab launches to support the deployment of Capella's innovative SAR Earth-imaging satellites, known as Acadia. The multi-launch agreement was first announced in February 2023.

Peter Beck, Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, reflected on the milestone, stating, "Electron was the trusted launch vehicle for Capella's first publicly available satellite when we launched their mission in 2020. It is an honor to be entrusted once again with launching the first of their next-generation Acadia satellites. Reaching 40 Electron launches is a noteworthy milestone for our team members, and we're delighted to share such a significant launch with our long-standing mission partner, Capella."

Payam Banazadeh, founder and CEO of Capella Space, also expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "Acadia is a reflection of our commitment to technology innovation, and we're proud to partner with Rocket Lab to introduce Capella's third-generation Acadia satellite technology to the world. We are dedicated to maintaining our record of delivering high-quality and low latency SAR imagery to customers anywhere in the world."

The Acadia satellites boast a suite of advancements over Capella's existing SAR constellation, including increased bandwidth and power, coupled with faster downlink speeds. They retain Capella's notable capability of capturing clear imagery 24/7, regardless of weather conditions.

The forthcoming Electron missions will all launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1. Each mission will deploy a single Acadia satellite to a 640 km mid-inclination orbit, augmenting the Capella Space SAR constellation. This expansion will allow for more frequent imaging of diverse global regions.

In addition, every Capella Space satellite will be accompanied by a Rocket Lab-manufactured Advanced Lightband. This technology will facilitate the secure attachment of each satellite to Electron and its subsequent deployment into orbit. Thus, each step of the launch and deployment process exemplifies the collaborative commitment of Rocket Lab and Capella Space to advancing SAR technology.