A side view of the Electron rocket. Photo: Rocket Lab

[Via Satellite 02-16-2016] Spire, a satellite company focused on providing weather and maritime data to public and private customers, has signed a launch services contract with Rocket Lab to fly payloads on up to 12 missions with the Electron vehicle. The missions are scheduled to take place from Rocket Lab’s private launch site on the Mahia Peninsula of New Zealand from late 2016 throughout 2017. According to Rocket Lab, the site has the ability to facilitate a higher launch cadence and a wider range of orbital inclinations than any other site in the world.

At 18-meters tall, Electron is capable of delivering a 150kg payload to a 500km sun-synchronous orbit. Spire will use Rocket Lab’s tailored services to orbits specific to its requirements. The company joins NASA and Moon Express as customers recently signed to fly on Electron launch vehicles.