Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) shares hiked in volatile trading on Friday. The global leader in launch services and space systems today announced the successful deployment of the latest satellite for Synspective, marking the ninth dedicated mission Rocket Lab has completed for the Japan-based Earth observation constellation.
This launch further strengthens one of the most consistent commercial launch partnerships in the small satellite sector and highlights Electron's industry-leading dedicated launch service.
The “Viva La StriX” mission launched on Electron from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 9:33 p.m. NZST on May 22, to a 572km low Earth orbit.
Rocket Lab’s deployment of the ninth StriX satellite expands Synspective’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation delivering high-resolution Earth observation data globally. As part of its dedicated launch service, Rocket Lab also supplied Synspective with a custom Electron rocket fairing for the launch that was tailored to the StriX satellite’s dimensions.
“The customization,” to quote this morning’s news release, “is a unique feature of Rocket Lab and Synspective’s partnership that helps to ensure Electron’s ongoing 100% mission success rate for StriX satellite deployments.
Today’s mission brings Rocket Lab’s total launch count to 88 and reinforces Electron as the premier small launch provider globally. With another 18 launches for Synspective booked on Electron, Rocket Lab remains the company’s sole launch provider and trusted partner in enabling rapid, repeatable access to space.
RKLB shares gained $7.17, or 5.8%, to $132.87.
