Rocket Lab Schedules Electron Launch for iQPS Radar Satellite
Rocket Lab planned to launch its Electron rocket on November 2, 2026, carrying an Earth-observing radar satellite for Japan's iQPS.
FlyMarshall Newsroom1 min read
Photo: Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab planned to launch the mission, named “The Sea God Surveys,” from its New Zealand site on November 2, 2026. The Electron rocket was to carry an iQPS synthetic aperture radar satellite into orbit.
Key details
- The launch window was scheduled to open at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
- The mission was described as Rocket Lab’s 99th overall and 90th Electron launch.
- The flight was set to be Rocket Lab’s 10th launch for iQPS.
- iQPS planned a low Earth orbit constellation of 36 synthetic aperture radar satellites.
The planned flight was set to be Rocket Lab’s 90th Electron launch and its 10th mission for iQPS.
Why it matters
The planned flight linked a dedicated small-launch vehicle with a commercial Earth-observation program. Synthetic aperture radar satellites can collect radar imagery, while iQPS’s planned 36-satellite constellation sets out the scale of its low Earth orbit network.
What happens next
Rocket Lab planned to provide live launch coverage about 30 minutes before liftoff. The mission would add another Electron flight for iQPS and advance the company’s satellite deployment plans. What will the next launch bring to iQPS’s growing constellation?
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