Rocket Lab is set to launch five Internet of Things (IoT) satellites this weekend following a delay caused by orbital traffic concerns. The Electron rocket, standing 59 feet (18 meters) tall, will carry five nanosatellites for the French company Kinéis, with liftoff scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, at 3:43 p.m. EST (2043 GMT; 9:43 a.m. Feb. 9 local New Zealand time) from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site.
Mission Overview: ‘IOT 4 You and Me’
This mission, aptly named “IOT 4 You and Me,” was originally scheduled for Feb. 3 but was postponed to ensure no risk of space-collision concerns. Rocket Lab emphasized the need to safely merge onto the space highway, ensuring a clear orbital path before proceeding with the launch.
If all goes according to plan, the five Kinéis satellites will be deployed into a 401-mile-high (646 kilometers) circular orbit 66.5 minutes after liftoff.
Rocket Lab will livestream the mission on its website, with coverage beginning about 30 minutes before launch. Space.com may also carry the feed, depending on Rocket Lab’s availability.
Building the Kinéis IoT Constellation
This launch is the fourth of five missions that Rocket Lab is conducting to build out Kinéis’ 25-satellite IoT constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO). Once fully operational, this constellation will:
✔ Provide global IoT connectivity, enabling devices to transmit data from anywhere in near real-time.
✔ Support industries like agriculture, shipping, and environmental monitoring with tracking, monitoring, and alerting capabilities.
✔ Help optimize activities while reducing risks, making IoT more accessible and efficient worldwide.
Rocket Lab’s First Launch of 2025
“IOT 4 You and Me” marks Rocket Lab’s first mission of 2025. In 2024, the California-based company completed 16 missions:
🚀 14 orbital launches using the Electron rocket.
🚀 2 suborbital flights using HASTE, a modified Electron variant for hypersonic technology testing.
With a growing manifest and increasing demand for small satellite deployments, Rocket Lab continues to solidify its role as a leading provider of dedicated small satellite launch services.
If successful, this mission will bring Kinéis one step closer to completing its global IoT network, revolutionizing how connected devices communicate worldwide. 🌍🚀
