UPDATE: Rocket Lab Successfully Launched Eight Satellites For Wildfire Monitoring Company OroraTech

Rocket Lab is set to attempt another daring mission: launch OroraTech satellites into orbit within four months. Since the contract was signed, Rocket Lab noted they understand the urgency of the mission. Chiefly, this is due to the crucial role OroraTech’s satellites will play in tracking seasonal wildfires. As a result, the launch developers will attempt to expedite the mission, with a launch date scheduled for late March. 

In a statement, Rocket Lab said: “Today [we have] scheduled a rapid turnaround mission on Electron for OroraTech, a Germany-based global provider of wildfire detection and monitoring solutions… The mission is being deployed only four months after the launch contract was signed to support OroraTech’s season-sensitive requirements for its wildfire detection mission.”

Mission Successfully Launched

Updated on 27th March

Rocket Lab successfully launched the ‘Finding Hot Wildfires Near You’ mission. The Electron rocket took off from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 4:30 AM NZDT on 27 March (15:30 UTC on 26 March). It deployed eight satellites into a 550 km orbit.

This was Rocket Lab’s fifth launch of 2025 and its 63rd overall, bringing the total number of satellites launched by its Electron rocket to 224

How You Can Watch This Significant Electron Launch Milestone

In what will be Electron’s 63rd mission overall, the launch window will open on 26 March at 3:30 pm. Thereafter, the window will conclude on 27 March at 4:30 am, New Zealand time. Streaming will commence “around T-20 minutes on launch day”, Rocket Lab said. 

If you’d like to watch Electron’s upcoming mission, one that will see the rocket add to its tally of 224 satellites delivered to orbit, Rocket Lab will be streaming the launch on their website. 

While streaming is not yet available on their YouTube channel, previous live streams have indicated the “Finding Hot Wildfires Near You” mission will be available for viewing on the platform. Take a look at Rocket Lab’s previous mission, ‘High Five’, below… 

OroraTech Satellite Constellation

Under mission requirements, Electron will transport eight OroraTech satellites to low Earth orbit. Rocket Lab said the initial launch (on 27 March) will be the first phase of the mission. The remaining phases are yet to be announced. Once inserted into orbit, approximately 550 km, the satellite constellation will aid global communities by acquiring “data from space to help tackle wildfire challenges”. 

During its operation, Rocket Lab said OroraTech’s satellites will utilise “AI-driven analytics derived from near-real-time data”. Once the data is procured via the thermal infrared cameras onboard, Rocket Lab added that “OroraTech’s constellation [will] empower first responders, governments and those alike with the ability to swiftly address wildfires and hotspots worldwide, significantly enhancing the protection of people, forests, and infrastructure.”

Why The Haste? Exploring Rocket Lab’s Swift Turnaround in Deploying The OroraTech Wildfire Constellation

Due to the seasonality of wildfires across the world, and the recent bushfires in LA, there is significant time pressure to the mission. Labelled “Finding Hot Wildfires Near You”, Rocket Lab will transport OroraTech’s satellite constellation in under 4 months. That is, from contract to launch. 

Just recently, Rocket Lab finalised the Kinésis constellation – achieved in under a year – completing the mission on 18 March. This means Electron’s next flight is a significantly quick turnaround schedule since the rocket’s last launch earlier in March. Reason being, that OroraTech’s constellation will play a crucial role in supporting governments, agencies and first responders when combating wildfires. Therefore, the satellite’s abilities are needed promptly and urgently.

The launch is set to take place on 27 March from Rocket Lab’s launch complex in New Zealand. The launch providers prefaced that the launch window would open during this time. This signals that possible extenuating circumstances – such as the weather or launch requirements – may delay the mission. Nonetheless, all systems seem to be a go for Electrons’ fifth launch of 2025.