Synspective launched its 12th SAR satellite using Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula on September 19.
The company has confirmed, following deployment, the satellite has now captured its first imagery representing preliminary test data captured during rigorous functional testing and calibration.
Photos include Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Perth in Western Australia and Tokyo in Japan.
Earlier this month, the company also announced a multi-launch agreement with Firefly Aerospace for up to 10 dedicated launches aboard Firefly’s Alpha rocket through 2030.
Each Alpha mission will carry two of Synspective’s SAR satellites, deploying up to 20 satellites over the course of the agreement. Launching two satellites per mission doubles the number of satellites Synspective places in orbit per launch compared to single-satellite missions. It also gives the company an efficient path to scale its StriX constellation.
Firefly will launch Synspective’s satellites from both Pad-0A at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia and Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This dual-coast capability gives Synspective flexible access to a range of orbital inclinations as it builds out the constellation, complementing its existing launch arrangements.
“Scaling our constellation at the pace our customers demand requires a diverse and resilient set of launch partners,” according to Dr. Motoyuki Arai, Founder and CEO of Synspective.
“Firefly has shown real commitment, working through the hard realities of developing a new launch vehicle and steadily building a track record with Alpha.
“We’re delighted to partner with a team that shares that kind of determination. Alpha’s payload class suits our upcoming satellites, and its dual-coast access gives us valuable flexibility across orbital inclinations. Adding Firefly to our launch portfolio strengthens our ability to accelerate deployment and deliver resilient service to our customers.”
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