Rocket Lab Targets November 3 for Electron's 99th Mission
Rocket Lab's "The Sea God Surveys" mission is planned to carry an iQPS radar satellite from Launch Complex 1.
FlyMarshall Newsroom1 min read
Representative image. Photo: NASA, public domain
Rocket Lab plans to fly its 99th Electron mission, named “The Sea God Surveys,” with one QPS-SAR radar satellite for Japan’s iQPS. The reported target is 5:41 a.m. NZDT on November 3, 2026, from Launch Complex 1; that time is a target, not a confirmed launch outcome.
Key details
- The mission is planned to carry one QPS-SAR radar satellite for iQPS.
- Rocket Lab has said its 100th Electron rocket is expected to arrive at Launch Complex 1 soon.
- Rocket Lab has not identified which mission will mark Electron’s 100th launch.
- Electron’s 98th mission reportedly launched three HawkEye 360 satellites on October 23, 2026, to a 520-kilometer orbit.
The mission’s reported target launch time is 5:41 a.m. NZDT on November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
The planned flight would add another Japanese radar-imaging satellite to orbit and bring Electron one mission closer to its 100th launch. QPS-SAR uses radar, which can collect imagery without relying on daylight.
What happens next
The launch target sets the next milestone for Electron as Rocket Lab prepares its 100th rocket for Launch Complex 1. Which Electron mission will reach the 100-launch mark?
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