(NET) Electron • Celeste 1–2

(NET) Electron • Celeste 1–2

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch a pair of Celeste LEO-PNT (Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing) Pathfinder A satellites for ESA into a 510km low Earth orbit. Provided by European satellite prime contractors Thales Alenia Space and GMV they will test a new approach of providing location, direction, and timing services from satellites in low orbit and its contribution to a multi-layer navigation system. ESA's LEO-PNT demonstration mission is part of the FutureNAV program and will assess how a low Earth orbit fleet of satellites can work in combination with the Galileo and EGNOS constellations in higher orbits that provide Europe's own global navigation system. Rocket Lab's mission will be named "?". - The two Pathfinder A satellites are large CubeSats (12U and 16U) the size of a suitcase weighing around 20kg and 30kg with payloads to broadcast in L- and S- bands. They will validate the system definition and early signal broadcast, de-risk and demonstrate technology for the core elements for succeeding LEO-PNT satellites. They will operate after in-orbit commissioning for at least six months. Pathfinder B satellites are larger and more complex and will build on the knowledge acquired during the design, development and integration of Pathfinder A satellites. They will carry additional payloads to test innovative signals across frequency bands and demonstrate the provision of additional services. The Celeste 10-satellite constellation (plus two spares) will fly in low Earth orbit to test innovative signals across various frequency bands. It is being developed under two parallel contracts with GMV (Spain) and Thales Alenia Space (France) as prime contractors.

📍 Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Māhia 4198, Neuseeland

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