NEW YORK, Jan 22, 2026, 13:53 EST
- In its first 2026 mission, Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket placed two Open Cosmos satellites into a 1,050-km orbit
- Open Cosmos confirmed the launch begins on-orbit testing for its upcoming low-Earth-orbit telecom constellation
- As demand grows and competition heats up, the companies are promoting dedicated smallsat launches alongside “sovereign” connectivity solutions
Rocket Lab confirmed a successful deployment of two satellites for Open Cosmos on Thursday during its inaugural Electron launch of 2026, inserting the spacecraft into a 1,050-km (652-mile) circular orbit.
Open Cosmos’ latest launch is significant because the company aims to rapidly transform spectrum rights into operational hardware in orbit, responding to Europe’s push for greater control over satellite communications and data links. According to Open Cosmos, these two satellites mark the debut of its planned low-Earth-orbit (LEO) telecom constellation — LEO referring to satellites positioned close to Earth, which helps reduce signal latency.
The mission, named “The Cosmos Will See You Now,” launched from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula at 11:52 p.m. local time (10:52 UTC), according to Rocket Lab.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck described the flight as “a great showcase” for dedicated Electron launches, highlighting “accurate constellation deployment” and “streamlined access to space.” GlobeNewswire
Open Cosmos CEO Rafel Jordà Siquier called the launch “a major milestone,” highlighting it as a step toward “secure, sovereign connectivity” for Europe. The initial spacecraft are designed to pave the way for a broader deployment.
The company announced the launch just a week after securing “high-priority” Ka-band spectrum — radio frequencies commonly used for high-capacity satellite broadband. They called it a crucial piece for their constellation strategy. GlobeNewswire
Via Satellite revealed last week that the Liechtenstein Ka-band filings were once held by Rivada Space Networks. Jordà Siquier was quoted saying, “No one wants to rely only on what one or two individuals own,” highlighting the risks of depending on a handful of dominant networks. Via Satellite
Rocket Lab and Open Cosmos are offering an alternative to the budget “rideshare” slots that cram satellites onto bigger rockets. Instead, they provide a smaller launcher dedicated to one customer’s specific orbit and schedule.
SpaceX operates a well-known smallsat rideshare program on Falcon 9, making it a top choice for operators okay with fixed launch dates and sharing rides.
Open Cosmos is stepping into the crowded broadband-from-space arena, where SpaceX’s Starlink already holds a strong position. Amazon’s “Leo” project is also aiming for worldwide coverage, planning a constellation of over 3,000 satellites, according to Amazon. Amazon News
But risks remain. Open Cosmos must still show its satellites perform reliably in orbit and then ramp up manufacturing and launches without hiccups, all while richer rivals push coverage wider and secure customers. Eutelsat, for example, boasts over 600 OneWeb LEO satellites orbiting at roughly 1,200 km altitude.
