Rocket Lab USA, Inc. Two Blakesky satellites from New Zealand, days after the successful launch from Virginia

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. announced the launch of a pair of satellites on an electronic mission assigned to BlackSky by global launch service provider Spaceflight, Inc. During the launch window which will open on March 22, 2023 UTC. The mission, dubbed “The Beat Go On,” will launch two BlackSky Gen-2 Earth Imaging Satellites from Launch Pad B at Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, and take 159 of the total number of satellites put into place. Orbited by an electron. Electron will place the satellites in a 450-kilometer circular orbit, bringing the total number of satellites in the Black Sky constellation to 16.

As part of a side mission, Rocket Lab plans to recover the Electron’s first stage after it parachutes back to Earth and falls into the ocean. The Rocket Lab recovery team will recover the Electron using a dedicated vessel and transfer the stage to the Rocket Lab production complex for analysis. Data from this recovered phase will be used in Rocket Lab’s ongoing recovery and reuse program.

A pair of high-resolution, multispectral Gen-2 satellites to be launched on Electron will allow BlackSky to extend its network into space and provide real-time geospatial intelligence and surveillance services. BlackSky combines high-resolution imagery captured by a constellation of small satellites with its own artificial intelligence software to provide analysis and insights for sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, land use, defence, supply chain and humanitarian aid.