Rocket Lab has completed its 80th Electron launch and its first mission of 2026, successfully deploying two spacecraft for European space technology company Open Cosmos, the company said.
The mission, titled The Cosmos Will See You Now, lifted off at 11:52 p.m. NZDT on Jan. 22 from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The Electron rocket delivered the two satellites into a 1,050-kilometre low Earth orbit, completing another dedicated launch for a commercial satellite operator.
The flight builds on Rocket Lab’s momentum following a record year in 2025, when the company carried out its highest number of launches to date from its sites in New Zealand and Virginia. With the latest mission, Rocket Lab said Electron has further strengthened its position as the most frequently launched small orbital rocket globally.
The successful deployment underscores Electron’s role in providing responsive and dedicated access to space for commercial customers. Open Cosmos specialises in satellite-based data services and space infrastructure, and the mission adds to a growing list of European operators turning to Rocket Lab for tailored launch solutions.
Rocket Lab said demand for small satellite launches remains strong across commercial, civil and defence sectors, and that 2026 is shaping up to be another busy year for the company as constellation deployments and Earth observation missions continue to expand.
