Rocket Lab’s Electron launcher successfully completed its 50th mission after launching from New Zealand, putting into orbit the first 5 of the 25 satellites in the Kinéis constellation, Europe’s 1st constellation dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Speaking at the launch, Alexandre Tisserant, Chairman and CEO of Kinéis, said: «Kinéis is proud of the success of Electron’s 50th flight. The delicate phase of separating our 5 nanosatellites from the launcher went very well. Our teams are now working to place them in their respective orbits. These first 5 satellites in the constellation mark the start of the IoT revolution driven by Kinéis connectivity and offer the prospect of full commercial services. See you in later this year for the 2nd launch, and congratulations to the teams!
The «No Time Toulouse» mission lifted off from Rocket Lab’s launch complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, on 20 June 2024 at 8:13 pm (Paris time), successfully deploying five satellites weighing 28 kg each into a low circular orbit at 635 km. This mission was the first of five Electron launches dedicated to Kinéis.
Commenting on the 50th launch of Electron, Sir Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, said: «Kinéis’ precise and tailored mission achieved today is yet another demonstration of the value Electron continues to bring to the small satellite community. Congratulations to our team and thanks to our customers and supporters for helping us continue to break records and set new industry standards.»
The mission of the Kinéis IoT constellation is to connect any object anywhere in the world (including black points) and transmit useful data to users in near real time. Kinéis operates for a global market (with subsidiaries in the United States, Brazil and Singapore) in areas that today represent major challenges for mankind, its activities and its environment: prevention of natural risks (detection of forest fires, floods, drought, pollution, etc.), agriculture, traceability of wild and farmed animals, monitoring of infrastructures and energy networks, monitoring of transport and logistics, monitoring of commercial and scientific maritime activities. The applications are infinite and the benefits considerable: risk reduction, anticipation of breakdowns, optimization of activities, etc.
Launch webcast: https://www.youtube.com/live/MYpQkHw9s1I
This phase of bringing the Kinéis project to fruition has become a reality thanks to 100% French public and private funding, with support from Bpifrance, CLS, CNES, the Frère family, BNP Paribas Développement, CELAD, Maison Dassault and Ethics Group.
For more information visit www.kineis.com
