Rocket Lab sends off another group of satellites for the Kinéis satellite network
The Kinéis constellation, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing global Internet of Things (IoT) coverage, took a significant step forward with the successful 59th launch of Rocket Lab's Electron rocket on February 9, 2025. The launch, which took place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, marked a remarkable achievement for both Rocket Lab and Kinéis, as they deployed five satellites to a 647 km low Earth orbit.
This latest mission was Kinéis' fourth launch for their IoT constellation, showcasing the efficiency and progress of the project. In just eight months, Kinéis has produced and launched 25 nanosatellites, demonstrating their rapid production and launch timeline. As of the fifth launch, Kinéis has deployed 30 nanosatellites into low Earth orbit, bringing them one step closer to their goal of delivering global IoT coverage through a complete constellation of 25 nanosatellites.
The Kinéis constellation is designed for connecting and locating any connected object anywhere in the world. It enables near-real-time data transmission to users at low bit rates and with very low energy consumption, making it an ideal solution for various applications such as forest fire detection, water resource management, infrastructure and energy network monitoring, transport and logistics tracking, and more.
The next Electron launch is scheduled for February, and while the specific launch window and customer details have yet to be announced, Kinéis plans to continue its incremental deployment of satellites to ramp up global IoT coverage. Full coverage with all 25 satellites is expected within approximately 1-2 years post-launch, likely between late 2025 and 2026.
Michel Sarthou, the CTO of Kinéis, expressed his excitement about the progress, stating, "The fourth launch brought Kinéis one step closer to its goal of delivering global IoT coverage through a complete constellation of 25 nanosatellites." Peter Beck, the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, also expressed his pride in Electron's performance, stating, "Electron has shown its strength as a pinpoint accurate constellation launcher."
With each successful launch, Kinéis moves one step closer to its mission of providing internet connection to the Earth's most remote locations. The company's collaboration with industry leaders like Telespazio and AWS is further enhancing their constellation management capabilities, ensuring a bright future for the Kinéis constellation.
[1] For precise or updated timeline info, checking Kineis' official announcements or space launch schedules is advisable.
Science and technology continue to play crucial roles in the advancements of space-and-astronomy, as demonstrated by Kinéis' use of technology for their groundbreaking IoT constellation initiative. With each successful launch, Kinéis moves one step closer to its mission of providing internet connection to the Earth's most remote locations, utilizing precision and accuracy enabled by technology.
