The mission was the first of multiple new launches on Electron for BlackSky. Photo: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab successfully launched its 60th Electron, deploying the first Gen-3 satellite for BlackSky’s Earth-imaging satellite constellation.

The ‘Fasten Your Space Belts’ mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 12:17 p.m. local time on Feb. 19 (6:17 p.m. EST on Feb. 18). The Gen-3 satellite was deployed using Rocket Lab’s motorized lightband separation system, which has been utilized for all of BlackSky’s launches on Electron.

BlackSky’s Gen-3 constellation will expand BlackSky’s capabilities with very high-resolution, rapid-revisit 35-centimeter imagery and AI-enabled analytics.

BlackSky CEO, Brian O’Toole, commented: “The successful launch of our first Gen-3 satellite represents a major step forward in delivering transformative, next-generation space-based intelligence capabilities to our customers. We look forward to commissioning this new satellite and delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics at industry leading speeds.”

Rocket Lab said that in 2025, it expects more dedicated launches for BlackSky’s constellation, missions from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, and the debut launch of its new medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron.

The launch occurred ten days after Rocket Lab’s previous Electron mission from Launch Complex 1. The mission marked the ninth Electron launch for BlackSky since 2019.