Rocket Lab’s 65th Electron mission, which deployed Earth-observing satellites for BlackSky to deliver real-time space-based intelligence, was launched successfully on June 3, 2025.
Launch Details
The “Full Stream Ahead” mission successfully launched a Gen-3 satellite by BlackSky to a 470 km circular earth orbit, further growing the company’s low Earth orbit constellation, at 11:57 am NZST (23:57 UTC on June 2) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. Additionally, Gen-3 was launched from a Rocket Lab Motorized Lightband, a satellite separation system that Rocket Lab has supplied BlackSky for all of its Electron launches to date.
Significance of the Mission
“Full Stream Ahead” is the second of four Electron launches that BlackSky has scheduled to put its Gen-3 satellites into orbit this year. It is also the company’s eleventh flight in total since 2019, placing Electron as the preferred launch vehicle for BlackSky’s constellation thus far. Earlier this year in February 2025, Rocket Lab successfully launched “Fasten Your Space Belts,” the first of BlackSky’s new missions.
Fast Reaction Time Between Launches
“Full Stream Ahead,” which launched from Launch Complex 1 just 16 days after Rocket Lab’s previous Electron mission, highlights Electron’s dependability in the face of a rising launch tempo.
Reliability Reinforced
Electron is now one of the most often and regularly used orbital launch vehicles in the world thanks to this rapid series of launches with 100% mission success.
Recent Milestone of Launch
Rocket Lab successfully launched its seventh Electron rocket of 2025, the 59-foot (18-meter) rocket’s 65th total flight. In order to promote the expansion of satellite constellations, Electron specializes in offering tiny satellites dedicated orbital rides.
Rocket Lab Increases Capabilities with Neutron Rockets and HASTE
In addition, Rocket Lab operates HASTE, a suborbital Electron derivative that acts as a testbed for hypersonic technologies. Additionally, the business is creating Neutron, a bigger, more potent orbital rocket with a partially reusable architecture. Later this year, Neutron is anticipated to make its debut.
