
Rocket Lab Successfully Launches 67 th Electron Mission, Schedules Next Launch in Less Than 48 Hours
MAHIA, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) ('Rocket Lab' or 'the Company'), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 67 th Electron rocket on a dedicated launch for radio frequency geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360. In less than 48 hours of mission success, Rocket Lab is scheduled for its next Electron launch to take place on Saturday, June 28 th NZT – expected to mark the Company's fastest launch turnaround yet from Launch Complex 1.
Mission Success for Electron's 67 th Launch
'Get The Hawk Outta Here' launched on Electron from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 5:28 a.m. on June 27 th NZT (17:28 on June 26 th UTC). The mission deployed four satellites to a 520 km circular low Earth orbit: a trio of microsatellites called Cluster 12 to collect and geolocate radio frequency signals from around the world, along with Kestrel-0A, an experimental satellite designed to evaluate emerging capabilities and future technology enhancements. Today's mission was the second of three dedicated launches in a multi-launch contract for HawkEye 360, following the company's first mission on Electron to deploy its Cluster 5 trio of satellites in 2023.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: 'Today's launch for HawkEye 360 was another seamless ride to orbit for Electron, with four satellites deployed with absolute precision to support the growth of HawkEye 360's constellation in low Earth orbit. With our next mission set to launch in less than 48 hours— the fastest we've ever scheduled back-to-back missions from the same launch site — I'm proud of the team for continuing to deliver the high-cadence, responsive launch that our customers rely on.'
Next Electron Launch Scheduled From Launch Complex 1
The next scheduled Electron mission, 'Symphony In The Stars', will launch a single spacecraft to a 650km circular Earth orbit for a confidential commercial customer no earlier than 7:00 p.m. NZT/19:00 UTC tomorrow Saturday, June 28 th. The mission will be Rocket Lab's 68 th Electron launch overall and tenth mission this year from Launch Complex 1.
Rocket Lab's dynamic scheduling to meet customer and mission requirements has proven the unparalleled adaptability and responsiveness of dedicated launch on Electron. With over 20 launches possible this year, Electron is in high demand among satellite operators for commercial, civil, and government missions.
'Get The Hawk Outta Here' launch broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/live/sincLVbpw4w
'Get The Hawk Outta Here' Images and video: www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlab/albums/72177720327142787
'Symphony In The Stars' mission information: www.rocketlabcorp.com/missions/next-mission/
About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of flight-proven spacecraft, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab's Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act') and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act'). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words 'believe,' 'may,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'potential,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'strategy,' 'future,' 'could,' 'would,' 'project,' 'plan,' 'target,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite to orbit
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Rocket Lab launched an Earth-observing radar satellite to orbit for the Japanese company iQPS on Wednesday morning (June 11). An Electron rocket topped with the QPS-SAR-11 spacecraft lifted off from Rocket Lab's New Zealand site on Wednesday at 11:31 a.m. EDT (1531 GMT; 3:31 a.m. on June 12 local New Zealand time). The Electron did its job, deploying the satellite into a circular orbit 357 miles (575 kilometers) above Earth roughly 51 minutes after launch as planned. Rocket Lab called this mission "The Mountain God Guards." That's a reference to the QPS-SAR-11 satellite's nickname, Yamatsumi-1, which honors a Japanese god of the mountains. Yamatsumi-1 will join iQPS' synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation, which views targets on Earth in all weather conditions, day and night. "To date, 10 QPS-SAR satellites have been launched, and iQPS aims to establish a constellation of 36 satellites," Rocket Lab wrote in a mission description, which you can find here. "This will enable the delivery of a 'NearReal-Time Data Provisioning Service,' allowing for the observation of specific regions worldwide at an average interval of 10 minutes," the company added. "This will make it possible to collect continuous images as data, and to accumulate data not only on 'Stationary Objects' such as land and buildings, but also on 'Moving Objects' such as vehicles, ships, and cattle and livestock." Related Stories: — Rocket Lab launches new NASA solar sail tech to orbit (video, photos) — Rocket Lab launches private Earth-observing radar satellite to orbit (video, photos) — Rocket Lab launches 5 'Internet of Things' satellites to orbit (video) "The Mountain God Guards" was the the eighth mission of 2025 and 66th overall flight for the 59-foot-tall (18-meter-tall) Electron, which gives small satellites dedicated rides to orbit. Rocket Lab has now launched four missions for iQPS (which is short for "Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space"), and there are more to come: Today's flight was the third of eight contracted missions for iQPS expected to lift off in 2025 and 2026, according to Rocket Lab. Editor's note: This story was updated at 12:35 p.m. ET on June 11 with news of successful satellite deployment.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab launches 'Get the Hawk Outta Here' mission from New Zealand (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Rocket Lab has launched a quartet of satellites for Virginia-based company Hawkeye 360. An Electron rocket lifted off from Rocket Lab's Pad-A at Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand today at 1:28 p.m. EDT (1728 GMT; 5:28 a.m. local New Zealand time on June 27). The rocket carried Hawkeye 360's "Get the Hawk Outta Here" mission. Inside Electron's payload fairings were three radio frequency geolocation microsatellites and a fourth experimental satellite dubbed "Kestrel-0A". The group was released into a polar low-Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 320 miles (520 kilometers). Hawkeye 360 specializes in providing radio frequency geospatial analytics. The constellation trio aboard Get the Hawk Outta Here is designed to triangulate the origin of radio frequencies across the globe and is part of the company's "Cluster 12." The satellites will fill a "critical coverage gap," according to Rocket Lab's mission description, granting Hawkeye 360 the ability to "extract RF intelligence in regions of strategic interest." Kestrel-0A, meanwhile, is designed to "evaluate emerging capabilities and future technology enhancements," according to Rocket Lab. Related stories: — Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite to orbit — Rocket Lab launches private Earth-observing satellite to orbit (video) — Rocket Lab unveils plan to land Neutron rockets at sea, 1st launch in 2025 Get the Hawk Outta Here is the second of three missions for Hawkeye 360 that Rocket Lab plans to launch. In total, Rocket Lab will ultimately deliver 15 satellites to LEO for Hawkeye 360. The first mission, dubbed "Virginia Is For Launch Lovers," served as Electron's debut mission and launched in Jan. 2023 from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia. This mission marks the 67th overall launch of Electron and ninth launch of 2025 for Rocket Lab — and the company shows no signs of a slowing cadence. Rocket Lab still has at least half a dozen launches left on its docket for this year, including the debut of its larger, more powerful Neutron rocket that's designed to be partially reusable. Rocket Lab also flies a suborbital variant of Electron called HASTE, which serves as a testbed for hypersonic technologies.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cantor Fitzgerald Raised the PT on Planet Labs (PL), Keeps an Overweight Rating
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) is one of the 13 Best Aerospace and Defense Stocks to Invest in Now. On June 23, Cantor Fitzgerald raised the firm's price target on Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) from $6.30 to $8.50 while keeping an Overweight rating on the stocks. The firm named the company its 'Top Pick' in the space sector due to increased confidence in multiple pathways for the company to outperform over the next 12 months. The analyst highlighted Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL)'s promising pipeline of satellite services deals, such as that of JSAT, which are expected to deliver significant benefits. These deals could accelerate the company's timeline to achieve sustainable free cash flow. Cantor Fitzgerald also sees the company's Earth Intelligence business to be well positioned to benefit from a multi-year period of global insecurity. A satellite in mid-flight with its solar panels capturing the sun's rays. In addition, the firm sees Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL)'s emerging satellite services strategy resembles Berkshire Hathaway's free float strategy. It believes that this allows the company to collect premiums and invest with structurally cheaper capital compared to competitors. Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) is a leading aerospace and defense company that provides daily satellite and geospatial solutions. It provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to various government and commercial users. While we acknowledge the potential of PL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio