Electron | Symphony In The Stars (EchoStar Lyra-4)
Electron •
📝 Mission Description
Electron's Symphony In The Stars: Deploying EchoStar's Lyra-4 Satellite
On June 28, 2025, Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifted off from its launch complex in Mahia, New Zealand, marking the inaugural "Symphony In The Stars" mission. This dedicated flight deployed EchoStar's Lyra-4 satellite into a precise 650-kilometer circular Earth orbit, advancing global connectivity through innovative Internet of Things (IoT) technology. As the first of two such missions planned for 2025, it underscores the growing demand for tailored small satellite launches in an increasingly crowded orbital landscape.
The mission's primary objective was to position a single spacecraft for a confidential commercial client, later revealed by the U.S. Space Force as EchoStar's Lyra-4. This satellite forms part of the EchoStar Lyra Block 1 constellation, a four-satellite network designed to provide seamless global IoT, machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, and data services via S-band frequencies. Operating from EchoStar Global's Australian subsidiary, the constellation targets industries like agriculture, logistics, and remote monitoring, where low-latency data transfer is critical. Lyra-4's capabilities include high-throughput data relay, enabling real-time asset tracking and environmental sensing across vast, underserved regions. By leveraging S-band's resilience to interference, the system promises robust performance in challenging environments, such as dense urban areas or remote oceans, potentially revolutionizing supply chain management and disaster response.
At the heart of the mission is Rocket Lab's Electron rocket, a lightweight, two-stage vehicle optimized for small payloads. Standing 18 meters tall with a diameter of 1.2 meters, Electron weighs about 12,500 kilograms at liftoff. Its first stage is powered by nine Rutherford engines, each producing 25 kilonewtons of thrust using electric pump-fed propulsion—a novel design that enhances efficiency and reduces costs. The second stage employs a single Rutherford engine, while an optional Curie kick stage provides precise orbital insertion. Electron can deliver up to 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit, making it ideal for dedicated missions like this one, where orbital accuracy is paramount. The rocket's carbon composite structure and 3D-printed components reflect a shift toward agile, cost-effective manufacturing in the small launch sector.
Electron's performance history has been a mix of triumphs and setbacks, illustrating the challenges of pioneering reusable small rockets. Since its debut in 2017, Rocket Lab has conducted over 40
ℹ️ Official Details
'Symphony In The Stars' is the first of two dedicated missions on Electron to deploy a single spacecraft to a 650km circular Earth orbit for a confidential commercial customer.
A second dedicated launch on Electron to meet those same mission requirements is scheduled for launch before the end of 2025.
The payload has since been identified by USSF as EchoStar's Lyra-4, an EchoStar Lyra Block 1 satellite. It is a 4-satellite constellation that will deliver global Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) and other data services through S-band. EchoStar will operate the constellation from its Australian subsidiary, EchoStar Global.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The Electron mission 'Symphony In The Stars' on June 28, 2025, achieved a successful orbital insertion and payload deployment, marking a significant milestone for Rocket Lab. The rocket performed flawlessly, delivering the EchoStar Lyra-4 satellite—a part of a 4-satellite constellation for global IoT and M2M services via S-band—to a precise 650km circular Earth orbit. Technical performance was exemplary, with all systems meeting mission requirements for this dedicated launch for a confidential commercial customer, later identified as EchoStar. The successful deployment validates Electron’s reliability for tailored orbital missions. Key engineering outcomes include confirmation of the rocket’s precision in meeting stringent orbital parameters. This success paves the way for the second dedicated launch for EchoStar before the end of 2025, reinforcing confidence in Electron’s capability for specialized commercial missions and future constellation deployments.