Rocket Lab's Neutron Rocket to Launch Kepler Communication's First Dedicated Mission

Rocket Lab has been selected by Kepler Communications to launch a dedicated Neutron mission carrying multiple satellites to low Earth orbit. The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than 2028 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 on Wallops Island, Virginia.

The satellites will expand Kepler’s constellation and provide additional optical connectivity, on-orbit computing, and hosted payload capacity for commercial and government missions.

Kepler has previously deployed its first 33 satellites through rideshare missions, making this its first dedicated launch on a commercial launch vehicle.

Kepler CEO and co-founder Mina Mitry said the dedicated mission is an important milestone as the company scales its space infrastructure and responds to growing customer demand.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said the agreement adds Kepler to the growing number of organizations selecting Neutron for tailored constellation missions.

Rocket Lab said the contract adds to a growing commercial manifest for Neutron, with missions planned through the end of the decade. The company is developing Neutron as a reusable medium-lift launch vehicle designed to provide greater control over launch schedules and orbital deployment for constellation operators.

Image Credits: Rocket Lab