Rocket Lab completes first dedicated launch for European Space Agency

Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) successfully launched its 85th mission on March 28, delivering two satellites for the European Space Agency's Celeste navigation demonstration project. The mission, called "Daughter Of The Stars," lifted off at 10:14 pm NZT from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

The launch deployed two spacecraft to a 510-kilometer low Earth orbit. The satellites will test how a low Earth orbit fleet can work with Europe's existing Galileo constellation in medium Earth orbit. Built by consortia led by GMV of Spain and Thales Alenia Space of France, the spacecraft will demonstrate technologies for autonomous vehicles, maritime navigation, wireless networks, emergency services, and infrastructure projects across Europe.

This marked Rocket Lab's sixth launch of 2026 and first dedicated mission for ESA. The company reports maintaining 100% mission success for national space programs including NASA, JAXA, KASA, and now ESA.

"Orbital accuracy is critical for the beginning of a new constellation," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. "It's why satellite operators across all mission types choose Electron for a dedicated launch, because they know they can rely on our rocket's precision and accuracy."

Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, ESA's Director of Navigation, said the Celeste mission "will demonstrate how a complementary layer in low Earth orbit can enhance Europe's current navigation systems, making them more resilient, more robust, and capable of delivering entirely new services."

Rocket Lab has upcoming launches scheduled for 2026 including missions for commercial Earth observation, international space agencies, national security, and hypersonic technology development, according to the company's press release.

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