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Rocket Lab to Launch Wildfire-Monitoring Satellites for OroraTech

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Rocket Lab Launches Wildfire-Monitoring Satellites for OroraTech

Business Honor
23 January, 2025

Rocket Lab secures contract to launch wildfire-monitoring satellites for OroraTech, with a quick turnaround planned.

Rocket Lab announced on January 22 that it has secured a contract to launch a set of wildfire-monitoring satellites for the German company OroraTech. The launch, which is expected to take place in just a few weeks, will deploy eight small satellites on an Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. While the exact launch date has not been disclosed, Rocket Lab confirmed it will be a quick turnaround following the contract signing.

OroraTech is developing a constellation of satellites intended to detect and track wildfires while offering early alerts for first responders. The German-based company had recently launched FOREST-3, its third satellite, aboard a SpaceX Transporter-12 dedicated rideshare on January 14. OroraTech plans for 100 deployments across the entire globe. In October 2024, the company raised 25 million euros ($26 million) to support its efforts and said it would launch additional sets of eight satellites later this year.

Rocket Lab has confirmed the launch of satellites within four months after the contract signing date. The firm's CEO Peter Beck mentioned some flexibility and how Rocket Lab has the capability of responding to requirements on such close timelines for a launch: "The dedicated Electron flight will demonstrate flexibility, timing, and reliability in the world's most frequently launched small orbital rocket-Electron".

Besides the OroraTech contract, Rocket Lab announced it would launch five Kinéis satellites for the French Internet-of-Things company Kinéis. It will be the fourth of five launches under a contract between the two companies. Rocket Lab aims to launch more than its 2024 count, as it has already scheduled a first launch of its Neutron reusable medium-lift vehicle for mid-2025.