Watch the Launch

Additional Media

Finding Hot Wildfires Near You (OroraTech OTC-P1)

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Mission: Earth Science

Sun-Synchronous Orbit Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

8 satellites for a constellation of satellites developed by Orora Technologies (OroraTech) of Germany, with thermal infrared cameras that can provide 24/7 monitoring of wildfires globally, supporting better and faster wildfire response to protect forests, people, and infrastructure worldwide. The company plans to expand their constellation with up to 100 satellites in total by 2028.

Updates


hitura-nobad • March 26, 2025, 4:27 p.m.

All payloads deployed.


hitura-nobad • March 26, 2025, 3:31 p.m.

Liftoff!


LL2 • March 26, 2025, 3 p.m.

Official Webcast by Rocket Lab has started


Cosmic_Penguin • March 20, 2025, 9:39 a.m.

Changed NET launch date.


Electron

Family:
Configuration:

Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.

See Details
Specifications
  • Minimum Stage
    2
  • Max Stage
    3
  • Length
    18.0 m
  • Diameter
    1.2 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    1.2 m
  • Launch Mass
    13.0 T
  • Thrust
    162.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Electron
  • Family
  • Variant
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Electron
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $6000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    300.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    225.0 kg

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab

(RL)

CEO: Peter Beck Founded: 2006 Successes: 70 Failures: 4 Pending: 46

Agency Type:

Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.

INFO WIKI

Related News

Spaceflight Now

Rocket Lab to launch 8 wildfire detection satellites for OroraTech on Electron rocket

These first eight satellites are part of OroraTech’s plan to deploy up to 100 satellites by 2028. Liftoff from Mahia, New Zealand is set for 4:30 a.m. NZT on March 27 (11:30 a.m. EDT, 1530 UTC on March 26).

SpaceNews

Rocket Lab launches eight OroraTech satellites

Rocket Lab launched eight satellites for a German company that is expanding its constellation to detect and track wildfires. The post Rocket Lab launches eight OroraTech satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

NASASpaceflight

Launch Roundup: Alpha, Spectrum, Electron, and Falcon 9 set to fly

The week ahead includes four launches scheduled for Wednesday and the third Electron rocket to… The post Launch Roundup: Alpha, Spectrum, Electron, and Falcon 9 set to fly appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

Spaceflight Now

Rocket Lab, Orora Technologies contract for “responsive launch” ahead of main 2025 wildfire season

The eight satellites will also fulfill a concept study contract awarded to OroraTech and Spire Global by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in October 2024. A specific launch date hasn't been announced, but Rocket Lab said the Electron rocke…

SpaceNews

Rocket Lab to launch OroraTech satellites

Rocket Lab announced Jan. 22 a contract to launch a set of wildfire-monitoring satellites for German company OroraTech on a short turnaround. The post Rocket Lab to launch OroraTech satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B


Falcon 9
Success
1 day, 22 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-87
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Ceres-1
Failure
2 days, 22 hours ago
Jilin-1 High Resolution-04C and others
Launch Area 95A - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Earth Observation satellite for the Jilin-1 commercial constellation. Other payloads: * Jilin-1 Platform-02A-04 * Zhongbei University-1


Long March 12
Success
2 days, 23 hours ago
SatNet LEO Group 13
Commercial LC-2 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group. …


Falcon 9
Success
3 days, 18 hours ago
Starlink Group 10-51
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Kinetica 1
Success
3 days, 22 hours ago
Chutian-2 01 & 02
Launch Area 130 - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

2 satellites built by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) for testing operations of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites f…


Long March 11
Success
4 days, 5 hours ago
Shiyan 32 01-03
Oriental Spaceport mobile launch ship - Sea Launch

3 Chinese satellites reported to be for "orbital technological testing" purposes. Actual usage not known.


Falcon 9
Success
6 days, 5 hours ago
Starlink Group 11-14
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week ago
Starlink Group 6-81
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Electron
Success
1 week ago
The Nation God Navigates (iQPS Launch 5)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B - Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.


Ariane 62
Success
1 week, 1 day ago
Sentinel-1D
Ariane Launch Area 4 - Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Sentinel-1D carries an advanced radar technology to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of Earth’s surface as part of the Sentine…