Rocket Lab launches iQPS’s ninth radar satellite

At 9:04 a.m. Eastern on Aug. 20, an Electron rocket rose from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand with a Japanese radar-imaging satellite tucked inside. About 50 minutes later, QPS-SAR-18 separated from the rocket’s kick stage and headed for its planned orbit at 575 kilometers altitude and a 42-degree inclination.

The spacecraft belongs to iQPS, the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, which is building a constellation of synthetic aperture radar satellites — SAR, for short. The company said it established contact with QPS-SAR-18 40 minutes after deployment and confirmed that the satellite was operating properly.

This was the ninth Electron launch for iQPS, and the second consecutive mission for the Japanese company. Another Electron carried an iQPS satellite on Aug. 6. The relationship is set to continue: iQPS has nine additional Electron launches under contract.

iQPS is targeting 24 satellites in orbit by May 2028 and 26 by 2030, primarily using Electron to launch those satellites. Rocket Lab’s launch cadence is also rising: This was Electron’s 14th launch of the year, including three launches of HASTE, its suborbital version. Rocket Lab expects to beat last year’s record of 21 Electron and HASTE missions.

Rocket Lab says its experience with Electron is helping it secure business for Neutron, its larger rocket that has yet to fly. Rocket Lab says Electron has now launched 93 times and that this experience is helping secure business for Neutron. The company has not disclosed Electron’s specific price, although its chief financial officer said average selling prices have increased significantly over the years.