HawkEye 360 Mission to Become Inaugural Launch of New Virginia Complex 2

Rocket Lab has obtained another contract, this time being the lucky recipient of business from HawkEye 360 for the launch of 3 Electron rocket missions towards the end of this year.

The multi-launch contract will deliver 5 clusters, totaling 15 satellites for the Virginia company. Their satellite constellation will allow them to offer radio frequency geospatial analytics to their customers. The first HawkEye 360 mission will launch in December 2022, with additional launches across 2022 and 2024. The first 3 satellites will be launched as part of a rideshare mission, with 6 each on the following launches.

The first will be the virgin mission of Rocket Lab's new Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, itself a part of the larger Wallops Flight Facility. The complex will be a dedicated, purpose-built facility designed for their Electron rocket. As part of the deal, Rocket Lab will supply HawkEye with separation systems produced by its new acquisition, Planetary Systems Corporation, purchased in December of last year. 

“Rocket Lab provides the flexibility we need to fill out our constellation and reach our desired orbits," said HawkEye 360 COO Rob Rainhart. "Their service will drive down our revisit rates in midlatitude AOIs, bringing a higher density of data to our customers. We’re excited to be joining the inaugural launch from Virginia, as a Virginia-based company launching our satellites from our home state.”

His company enables more precise mapping of radio emissions around the world, allowing commercial and government customers to obtain data anywhere on Earth. They've helped detect illegal fishing, poachers in national parks, GPS radio frequency interference along international borders, and emergency beacons in crisis situations, among others. 

FMI: www.rocketlabusa.com