Rocket Lab signs deal to launch LEO 3 satellite

An artist’s rendering of the Leo3 payload. Image courtesty of UTAIS/SFL

Rocket Lab this week announced it has signed a deal to launch the LEO 3 satellite for global satellite operator Telesat from its Mahia space port.

The satellite has been built and manifested to Electron by mission management provider and satellite developer Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) of Toronto.

The LEO 3 demonstration satellite will provide continuity for customer and ecosystem vendor testing campaigns following the decommissioning of Telesat’s Phase 1 LEO satellite.

Once deployed to orbit, LEO 3 will operate under an existing ITU network filing for Telesat Lightspeed, the company’s enterprise-class LEO constellation.

To meet Telesat’s programme requirements, SFL has selected Rocket Lab to deliver the satellite to space on an accelerated timeline within four months of contract signing.

“As the only US small rocket to successfully deliver satellites to orbit this year, Electron remains the undisputed small launch leader for reliable and regular satellite delivery to orbit,” Rocket Lab senior director of global launch services Brian Rogers said.