spacetoday.net: Rocket Lab launches 50th Electron

Posted: Sun, Jun 23, 2024, 11:31 AM ET (1531 GMT)
Electron launch of first Kineis satellites (Rocket Lab)

Rocket Lab launched the first satellites for French startup Kinéis on the 50th flight of its Electron rocket Thursday. The Electron lifted off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 2:13 pm EDT (1813 GMT) and placed five smallsats for Kinéis into low Earth orbit. The satellites are the first of a constellation of 25 spacecraft that will provide Internet of Things services. Kinéis signed a contract with Rocket Lab in 2021 for five Electron launches to deploy the constellation. The launch was the 50th for the Electron, which made its debut in May 2017. Rocket Lab says Electron made it to 50 launches faster than any other commercially developed rocket.