Rocket Lab’s new mission, ‘Kinéis Killed the RadIOT Star’ successfully lifted off on September 20, 2024, at 23:01 UTC from Launch Complex 1 (LC-1), Pad B, on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. Today’s mission was the 53rd of the Electron rocket.
Two and a half minutes after liftoff, the booster separated from the second stage, wich released the Kick Stage nearly seven minutes later. At T+00:51:51, the Curie engine performed the first of two ignitions. Fifteen minutes later all five spacecraft were deployed.
Kinéis’ second launch has already joined the previous low-Earth orbit nano-satellites. This is the second mission in a series of five launches to complete a constellation of 25 nanosatellites. The company, financed by the French government’s space agency CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales) and CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites), focuses on providing and enhancing global IoT connectivity.
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Mission overview
The ‘Kinéis Killed the RadIOT Star’ launch was customized to meet Kinéis’ specific mission needs. Two ignitions of the upper stage’s Curie engine precisely controlled the launch schedule, deploying the satellites in an exact sequence. Additionally, a final burn directed the Kick Stage toward a reentry orbit, contributing to space sustainability.
The nanosatellite constellation will guarantee continuous connectivity, aiming to cover the numerous ‘blackspots’ around the planet. Each satellite equips electric propulsion systems to maintain the orbit and avoid collisions. Moreover, the constellation is positioned in low orbit at 650 km, spread over 5 orbital planes, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission.
Each satellite will be capable of locating, monitoring, and alerting objects globally, with high accuracy in detecting AIS signals. This high technology will enable ships and maritime traffic surveillance services to monitor the identity, position, and trajectory of vessels.
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Kinéis and the connectivity revolution
“Kinéis’ teams are continuing to improve the deployment design, building on the success of the first launch. They have learned from this initial, delicate technical experience by managing five new satellites simultaneously with the five already in orbit.”
— Alexandre Tisserant, president of Kinéis
Tisserant also credited Rocket Lab’s Electron launcher for its precision in positioning the nanosatellites during the previous mission.
Kinéis’ vision focus to enhance global coverage, noting that only 15% of the planet is connected through continuous terrestrial networks. Sectors like energy, transport, environment, and agriculture require constant global access to data for effective decision-making.
These connectivity issues have been increasingly prominent in recent years, with a focus on protecting undisturbed land and improving marine connectivity as part of global conservation efforts. According to a study published in Nature Communications, the movement of wildlife and the overall health of ecosystems could be improved by eliminating man-made barriers, but instead aided by continuous global coverage.
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