Rocket Lab Secures Largest-Ever Electron Commercial Deal from Synspective
The 20-launch contract for Tokyo-based Earth observation company Synspective pushes Rocket Lab’s (RKLB) backlog beyond 100 missions.
(Long Beach, California) Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) announced this evening (Sept. 30) that it has signed a multi-year launch agreement for 20 new Electron missions with Tokyo-based Earth observation company Synspective – marking the company’s largest-ever Electron commercial deal.
Image of an Electron rocket taking off on Sept. 25th from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand carrying a Synspective satellite, courtesy of Rocket Lab via SpaceNews.
The contract brings the total number of Electron missions for Synspective to 47 – the most of any Rocket Lab launch customer – and pushes Rocket Lab’s backlog beyond 100 mission, according to today’s press release from Rocket Lab.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Specifically, Rocket Lab will launch 20 StriX synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The missions are scheduled annually from 2028 through 2031 and will accelerating Synspective’s goal to build a comprehensive satellite constellation capable of imaging any location on Earth within hours, day or night, and through any weather conditions.
“When constellation builders want control over their destiny, they come to Rocket Lab,” said Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Synspective was one of Electron’s earliest customers and together we have proven that tailored, dedicated launch is the fastest and most reliable path to scaling small satellite constellations. Signing twenty launches in a single deal is a massive vote of confidence not just in Electron, but in the launch cadence, mission reliability, and orbital precision that Rocket Lab consistently delivers.”
Synspective Founder and CEO Dr. Motoyuki Arai said: "Electron’s precision and reliability have played a central role in steadily scaling our StriX constellation. Through this process, our partnership has grown into something built not only on technical progress but on a deep, team-level trust between us. On behalf of Synspective, I would like to once again express our gratitude for the quality of service, the flexibility, and the truly excellent team behind it. Securing another 20 dedicated launches now gives us long-term certainty for our constellation expansion – a powerful booster toward building the infrastructure needed for a resilient future. We look forward to continuing this journey together."
