Rocket Lab has secured a contract to launch the European Space Agency’s first satellites for its Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing demonstrator mission. The California-based space firm said this marks the first time ESA will use the company’s Electron rocket for a dedicated mission.
The mission, scheduled to launch in December from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, will deploy two Pathfinder A satellites developed by Thales Alenia Space and GMV. These will be the first payloads for ESA’s planned LEO-PNT navigation constellation.
According to the space agency, the LEO-PNT demonstrator mission will test a constellation of 10 satellites in low Earth orbit to explore how they can enhance Europe’s navigation services in a multi-layered network, improving the resilience of PNT across the continent.
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said the company is honored to support ESA’s navigation ambitions. “An important constellation like LEO-PNT needs a strong foundation to grow from, and with Electron’s track record of precise orbital deployment, we’re excited to help secure the future of LEO-PNT for Europe,” Beck said.
ESA’s LEO-PNT mission is part of its broader FutureNAV program, which supports the agency’s efforts to remain at the forefront of satellite navigation. Apart from the LEO-PNT demo, FutureNAV’s other inaugural mission is Genesis, a space-based Earth observatory that will use geodetic instruments with 1 mm accuracy.
The launch deal expands Rocket Lab’s presence in European government programs. In April, the U.K. Ministry of Defence selected the company to join its Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework, a $1.3 billion initiative where Rocket Lab will be eligible to compete for contracts using its suborbital HASTE vehicle.