Rocket Lab, a private US-New Zealand aerospace company, announced the signing of a contract for the launch of eight more BlackSky satellites as part of five launches of Electron launch vehicles. The deadline for the implementation of the contract is announced until the end of 2021. The agreement was signed following the successful withdrawal of one of the BlackSky satellites earlier this week.

Commenting on the deal, Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said:

“We are delighted to be able to provide reliable orbit access to Spaceflight and its BlackSky customer. The Electron rocket allows our clients to control the launch schedule and the specifics of the orbital deployment, which gives more confidence in the critical aspects necessary for business growth. The Electron rocket is poised to provide easier access to space, so BlackSky can focus on what matters most to their business – delivering real-time, up-to-date satellite data to those who need it most. ”

Taking into account the launched vehicles, the company’s grouping will include 14 operational satellites (the desired number is at least 30). A key feature of the new contract was that earlier these eight satellites were supposed to be launched in 2022, but since BlackSky wanted to do this as early as possible, she took advantage of an offer from Rocket Lab to carry out operational launches.

Under the contract, Rocket Lab will launch eight BlackSky satellites weighing 130 kg into low-earth orbit. The agreement also spells out the possibility of two additional space launches in the fourth quarter of this year.

For Rocket Lab, this year promises to be very rewarding. The company previously announced a merger with Vector Acquisition Corporation, which will allow it to go public on the Nasdaq exchange. In addition, this year the private space company signed contracts for the provision of its services to the US Air Force, and is also going to launch the universal satellite platform Photon with a Capstone payload to the Moon, commissioned by NASA.