Rocket Lab Successfully Begins 2026 Campaign with Open Cosmos Satellite Deployment
Mahia, Thursday, 22 January 2026.
Marking its 80th Electron mission, Rocket Lab successfully deployed Open Cosmos’ first telecom satellites today, signaling a strong start to its 2026 operational calendar.
Precision Deployment for New Constellation Infrastructure
The mission, named ‘The Cosmos Will See You Now,’ lifted off from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 10:52 UTC (23:52 NZDT) on January 22, 2026 [1][2]. The Electron rocket successfully deployed two satellites into a 1,050 km circular Earth orbit, executing a precise delivery for Open Cosmos, a pan-European space technology company [1][4]. This operation marks a significant milestone for the customer, as these satellites constitute the initial infrastructure for their proprietary Ka-band low Earth orbit (LEO) telecom constellation [2]. The deployment occurred just one week after Open Cosmos secured the necessary high-priority spectrum for the network on January 15, 2026 [1][4]. Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck emphasized the utility of the dedicated mission profile, noting it provided streamlined access to space and specific orbit accuracy tailored to the customer’s constellation requirements [1].
Operational Consistency Amidst Development Challenges
Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) continues to demonstrate the reliability of its small launch vehicle, with this mission serving as the 80th flight of the Electron rocket [1][4]. The company enters 2026 following a flawless 2025 campaign, during which the vehicle achieved a 100% success rate across 21 launches [2]. This operational stability is critical as the company balances current revenue generation with the capital-intensive development of its larger Neutron vehicle. The complexities of this dual focus were highlighted earlier this week; while the Electron program executed a perfect launch today, the company experienced a setback with Neutron on January 21, 2026, involving a stage 1 tank rupture during a test event [2].
Market Reaction and Forward Outlook
Despite the successful deployment, Rocket Lab shares traded down more than 1% in pre-market activity on Thursday [3]. Investors appear to be weighing the immediate operational success against broader development risks and market conditions. However, the company’s long-term position remains bolstered by significant government backing, including an $816 million contract awarded by the U.S. Space Development Agency in December 2025 for 18 TRKT3 satellites [2]. Looking ahead, the launch cadence shows no signs of slowing. Rocket Lab has indicated a busy manifest for the year, with the next mission, ‘Bridging The Swarm,’ already scheduled for launch on January 26, 2026 [5].