- Rocket Lab completed its 61st Electron mission, named ‘The Lightning God Reigns’.
- The mission deployed the QPS-SAR-9 satellite for iQPS of Japan.
- This is the second launch for iQPS under an agreement for eight launches through 2026.
- iQPS is developing a 36-satellite SAR constellation for Earth observation.
- Rocket Lab has scheduled another mission shortly after this launch.
Rocket Lab has conducted its 61st Electron mission, ‘The Lightning God Reigns’, from its facility in New Zealand. The mission deployed the QPS-SAR-9 satellite for iQPS, a Japanese company focused on building an Earth observation satellite constellation.
Second Mission Under iQPS Multi-Launch Agreement
The ‘Lightning God Reigns’ mission is the second of eight launches contracted by iQPS with Rocket Lab, the first occurring in December 2023. The agreement extends through 2026 and includes five more launches planned for 2025 and two in 2026. This contract reflects a continuing partnership between Rocket Lab and iQPS for the development of iQPS’s satellite infrastructure.
iQPS Constellation for Earth Data
The series of launches will contribute to iQPS’s plan to establish a constellation of up to 36 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. SAR technology allows for Earth imaging across various weather conditions and times of day, providing data for applications such as disaster monitoring and resource management. Rocket Lab’s launches are part of this deployment effort.
Rapid Launch Schedule
Rocket Lab has scheduled another iQPS mission for May 2025 and a separate mission shortly after ‘The Lightning God Reigns’. Rocket Lab’s schedule indicates a capability for frequent launches.
The mission ‘Lightning God Reigns’ is a step in the collaboration between Rocket Lab and iQPS. This launch contributes to the development of iQPS’s SAR satellite constellation and reflects Rocket Lab’s activity in the small satellite launch sector. The continued execution of this multi-launch agreement will be important for both organizations as iQPS works towards its Earth observation objectives.