4.08.2025
Rocket Lab to Launch Fifth Electron Mission for iQPS Earth Imaging Constellation
Rocket Lab has announced the scheduled launch window for its next mission for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), marking the 69th flight of its Electron rocket and the company's 11th launch of 2025.
The mission, titled 'The Harvest Goddess Thrives', will lift off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand with a window opening on August 5, 2025 UTC. It will carry QPS-SAR-12, also known as KUSHINADA-I, into a 575 km circular orbit. Named after the Japanese goddess of harvest, the satellite will enhance the QPS-SAR constellation's global capacity to deliver high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery for Earth observation.
This flight marks Rocket Lab's fifth Electron mission for iQPS, following previous launches including 'The Moon God Awakens' in December 2023, and three 2025 missions: 'The Lightning God Reigns', 'The Sea God Sees', and 'The Mountain God Guards'. Three additional dedicated iQPS launches are slated through the end of 2025 and into 2026.
Rocket Lab's launch performance in 2025 has been marked by operational reliability, achieving a 100% success rate for all Electron flights to date. The company continues to expand its small satellite launch services while preparing for the inaugural launch of its reusable Neutron rocket, targeting the medium-lift launch market.
Quelle: SD
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Update: 5.08.2025
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MISSION SUCCESS FOR ROCKET LAB’S LATEST CONSTELLATION DEPLOYMENT LAUNCH FOR IQPS
MAHIA, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2025-- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 69th Electron mission and deployed the latest satellite to orbit for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) - Rocket Lab’s fifth dedicated mission in a multi-launch contract to build their constellation in low Earth orbit.
‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 04:10 UTC on August 5th. Electron deployed a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite named QPS-SAR-12 (nicknamed KUSHINADA-I for the Japanese goddess of harvest and agriculture) to a 575km circular Earth orbit. It was Rocket Lab’s fourth launch this year for iQPS and fifth mission overall, making Electron the most prolific launcher of their constellation to date. Four more dedicated iQPS missions are scheduled to launch on Electron through the remainder of this year and in 2026.
Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Every Electron launch is a demonstration of payload deployment precision for our customers – an especially critical element when scaling satellite constellations. Today’s fifth and flawless deployment for iQPS once again underscores Electron’s reliability and continues to prove that consistent tailored access to space is a reality on Electron for our customers.”
iQPS CEO, Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, says: “Building a satellite constellation requires both timely development and manufacturing, as well as highly precise launch execution. We are deeply grateful to both our team and the Rocket Lab team for their continued dedication in making this possible. As the number of satellites increases, so too does the frequency and value of the data we are able to provide. We will continue to accelerate our efforts to ensure that our satellite data can be leveraged in even more fields and applications.”
‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ marks Rocket Lab’s 11th Electron mission of 2025 and its 69th launch overall. Details of the next Electron launch will be shared in the coming days.
Quelle: Rocket Lab