Rocket Lab Schedules First of Multiple Launches for iQPS
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has announced its 61st Electron mission, 'The Lightning God Reigns', scheduled to launch from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand starting March 10th UTC. The dedicated mission will deploy the QPS-SAR-9 satellite (nicknamed 'SUSANOO-I') for Japanese client iQPS to a 575km circular Earth orbit.
This launch marks the first of eight upcoming missions for iQPS planned across 2025 and 2026, following their successful December 2023 collaboration. The QPS-SAR-9, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite, will join iQPS's Earth-imaging constellation, providing high-resolution monitoring every 10 minutes from specific locations.
The mission will utilize Rocket Lab's Motorized Lightband for satellite deployment and represents the company's third launch of 2025. Upon completion, this mission will bring Rocket Lab's total satellite deployment count to 211.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha annunciato la sua 61ª missione Electron, 'Il Dio del Fulmine Regna', prevista per il lancio dal Launch Complex 1 in Nuova Zelanda a partire dal 10 marzo UTC. La missione dedicata schiererà il satellite QPS-SAR-9 (soprannominato 'SUSANOO-I') per il cliente giapponese iQPS in un'orbita terrestre circolare a 575 km.
Questo lancio segna il primo di otto missioni future per iQPS pianificate nel 2025 e 2026, dopo la loro collaborazione di successo nel dicembre 2023. Il QPS-SAR-9, un satellite di imaging radar ad apertura sintetica (SAR), si unirà alla costellazione di imaging terrestre di iQPS, fornendo monitoraggio ad alta risoluzione ogni 10 minuti da posizioni specifiche.
La missione utilizzerà il Lightband Motorizzato di Rocket Lab per il dispiegamento del satellite e rappresenta il terzo lancio dell'azienda nel 2025. Al termine, questa missione porterà il conteggio totale dei satelliti lanciati da Rocket Lab a 211.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha anunciado su 61ª misión Electron, 'El Dios del Rayo Reina', programada para lanzarse desde el Launch Complex 1 en Nueva Zelanda a partir del 10 de marzo UTC. La misión dedicada desplegará el satélite QPS-SAR-9 (apodado 'SUSANOO-I') para el cliente japonés iQPS en una órbita terrestre circular a 575 km.
Este lanzamiento marca el primero de ocho próximas misiones para iQPS planeadas para 2025 y 2026, tras su exitosa colaboración en diciembre de 2023. El QPS-SAR-9, un satélite de imágenes de radar de apertura sintética (SAR), se unirá a la constelación de imágenes de la Tierra de iQPS, proporcionando monitoreo de alta resolución cada 10 minutos desde ubicaciones específicas.
La misión utilizará el Lightband Motorizado de Rocket Lab para el despliegue del satélite y representa el tercer lanzamiento de la empresa en 2025. Al finalizar, esta misión llevará el conteo total de despliegues de satélites de Rocket Lab a 211.
로켓랩 (RKLB)이 뉴질랜드의 Launch Complex 1에서 UTC 기준 3월 10일부터 발사될 예정인 61번째 일렉트론 미션 '번개 신이 다스린다'를 발표했습니다. 이 전용 미션은 일본 고객 iQPS를 위해 QPS-SAR-9 위성(별명: 'SUSANOO-I')을 575km의 원형 지구 궤도로 배치할 것입니다.
이번 발사는 2023년 12월의 성공적인 협업 이후 2025년과 2026년 동안 계획된 iQPS의 8개 향후 미션 중 첫 번째를 의미합니다. QPS-SAR-9은 합성 개구 레이더(SAR) 이미징 위성으로, iQPS의 지구 이미징 별자리와 합류하여 특정 위치에서 10분마다 고해상도 모니터링을 제공합니다.
이 미션은 위성 배치를 위해 로켓랩의 모터라이즈드 라이트밴드를 사용할 것이며, 2025년 로켓랩의 세 번째 발사를 나타냅니다. 미션이 완료되면 로켓랩의 총 위성 배치 수는 211개로 증가합니다.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) a annoncé sa 61ème mission Electron, 'Le Dieu de la Foudre Règne', prévue pour être lancée depuis le Launch Complex 1 en Nouvelle-Zélande à partir du 10 mars UTC. La mission dédiée déploiera le satellite QPS-SAR-9 (surnommé 'SUSANOO-I') pour le client japonais iQPS dans une orbite terrestre circulaire à 575 km.
Ce lancement marque le premier de huit prochaines missions pour iQPS prévues en 2025 et 2026, suite à leur collaboration réussie de décembre 2023. Le QPS-SAR-9, un satellite d'imagerie radar à ouverture synthétique (SAR), rejoindra la constellation d'imagerie terrestre d'iQPS, fournissant une surveillance haute résolution toutes les 10 minutes depuis des emplacements spécifiques.
La mission utilisera le Lightband motorisé de Rocket Lab pour le déploiement du satellite et représente le troisième lancement de l'entreprise en 2025. À l'issue de cette mission, le nombre total de déploiements de satellites par Rocket Lab atteindra 211.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) hat seine 61. Electron-Mission 'Der Blitzgott regiert' angekündigt, die ab dem 10. März UTC vom Launch Complex 1 in Neuseeland gestartet werden soll. Die spezielle Mission wird den QPS-SAR-9 Satelliten (mit dem Spitznamen 'SUSANOO-I') für den japanischen Kunden iQPS in eine kreisförmige Erdumlaufbahn in 575 km Höhe bringen.
Dieser Start markiert die erste von acht bevorstehenden Missionen für iQPS, die für 2025 und 2026 geplant sind, nach ihrer erfolgreichen Zusammenarbeit im Dezember 2023. Der QPS-SAR-9, ein Satellit für synthetische Aperturradar (SAR) Bilder, wird sich der Erdbeobachtungskonstellation von iQPS anschließen und alle 10 Minuten hochauflösende Überwachungen von bestimmten Standorten aus bereitstellen.
Die Mission wird das motorisierte Lightband von Rocket Lab für den Satelliteneinsatz nutzen und stellt den dritten Start des Unternehmens im Jahr 2025 dar. Nach Abschluss wird diese Mission die Gesamtzahl der von Rocket Lab gestarteten Satelliten auf 211 erhöhen.
- Secured multi-launch contract with iQPS for 8 missions
- Demonstrates continued customer retention with repeat iQPS business
- Expanding launch manifest through 2026
- None.

Electron's next mission is ready for launch for iQPS. (Photo: Business Wire)
The mission, named “The Lightning God Reigns”, will launch from Rocket Lab’s private orbital launch site, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, in
The mission will launch a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite to a 575km circular Earth orbit for iQPS called QPS-SAR-9 (nicknamed “SUSANOO-I”). The spacecraft will join iQPS’ growing Earth-imaging constellation that delivers high-resolution monitoring from specific locations every 10 minutes.
‘The Lightning God Reigns’ is the first of eight upcoming launches for iQPS across 2025 and 2026 to build out iQPS‘s constellation, and follows the Company’s earlier successful mission for iQPS launched in December 2023. Each upcoming mission includes a Rocket Lab Motorized Lightband, used to separate and deploy the satellite from Electron once in space.
“The Lightning God Reigns” will be Rocket Lab’s third mission of 2025, its 61st Electron launch overall, and will bring the total number of satellites delivered to space by Rocket Lab to 211.
“The Lightning God Reigns” mission information: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/missions-launched/the-lightning-god-reigns
“The Lightning God Reigns” launch window timing:
Scheduled to launch no earlier than (NET):
- 00:00 UTC, March 10th
- 1:00 pm NZDT, March 10th
- 8:00 pm Eastern, March 9th
- 5:00 pm Pacific, March 9th
About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in
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Rocket Lab Media Contact
Murielle Baker
media@rocketlabusa.com
Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
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