Rocket Lab Successfully Deploys Full Kinéis Constellation in Under a Year
Rocket Lab USA, a leading provider of launch services and space systems, successfully launched its Electron rocket today, marking the completion of a five-mission contract with French Internet-of-Things (IoT) satellite operator Kinéis. The mission deployed five additional satellites to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), completing Kinéis’ 25-satellite constellation in less than a year, a significant milestone in the space industry.
A Historic Milestone for Rocket Lab and Kinéis
The “High Five” mission took off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 14:31 NZDT on March 18, 2025 (01:31 UTC). The Electron rocket successfully delivered its payload to a 650 km low Earth orbit, marking Rocket Lab’s fourth successful launch of the year and the 62nd overall for the Electron launch vehicle.
Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, expressed his pride in the accomplishment: “That’s five missions out of five for Kinéis delivered flawlessly by Electron. 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. We’re proud to have enabled a more connected world through Kinéis’ IoT spacecraft and look forward to seeing all the valuable data and insights the constellation provides in the coming months and years.”
Kinéis’ Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Christophe Vassal, also highlighted the significance of this launch, stating: “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. On June 1st, we will launch our IoT satellite connectivity commercial services. 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.”
The Kinéis Constellation: Revolutionizing Global Connectivity
The Kinéis satellite constellation is designed to provide global IoT connectivity, enabling users to track and monitor assets across the most remote regions of the world. By delivering near-real-time data transmission with low bit rates and minimal energy consumption, Kinéis’ system offers a transformative solution for industries such as agriculture, logistics, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management.
With the ability to connect devices even in the most isolated locations, Kinéis’ technology will support crucial applications such as forest fire detection, water resource management, transport tracking, and energy infrastructure monitoring. The seamless integration of IoT with satellite technology opens new possibilities for industries requiring reliable, low-power communication networks.
Rocket Lab’s Role in Enabling a Connected World
Since its founding in 2006, Rocket Lab has been at the forefront of innovation in the space industry. The company’s Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket annually, demonstrating its reliability and growing demand. Rocket Lab has delivered more than 200 satellites into orbit, supporting a wide range of missions, including national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications.
The successful deployment of Kinéis’ full constellation in under a year underscores Rocket Lab’s ability to execute rapid, precise, and cost-effective satellite launches. By offering dedicated launches that provide customers control over mission parameters, Rocket Lab ensures optimal mission performance tailored to each client’s needs.
Beyond launch services, Rocket Lab is expanding its capabilities in satellite manufacturing and spacecraft components. The company’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected for key NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab continues to push the boundaries of space technology with the development of its next-generation Neutron launch vehicle, designed to further support constellation deployments.
The Future of IoT and Space-Based Connectivity
The completion of the Kinéis constellation marks a significant advancement in the IoT sector, with far-reaching implications for industries requiring robust, low-power global connectivity. As Kinéis prepares to launch its commercial services in June 2025, the satellite network is poised to drive innovation in data collection, asset tracking, and environmental monitoring.
Rocket Lab’s continued success in deploying satellite constellations highlights the growing importance of small satellite technology in shaping the future of global communications. The company’s commitment to providing reliable, flexible, and cost-efficient access to space solidifies its position as a leader in the aerospace sector.
The successful deployment of Kinéis’ complete 25-satellite IoT constellation by Rocket Lab represents a remarkable achievement in the satellite industry. In less than a year, Rocket Lab has delivered a fully operational network that will enable seamless global connectivity for IoT applications, benefiting industries across the world. As the demand for satellite-based IoT solutions grows, Rocket Lab and Kinéis are at the forefront of advancing technology that bridges the gap between the digital and physical worlds.
