Latest news with #QPS-SAR-12
Broadcast Pro
4 days ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Rocket Lab launches 69th Electron mission for iQPS
The company plans four more dedicated Electron launches for iQPS through the rest of 2025 and into 2026. Rocket Lab has launched its 69th Electron mission and deployed the latest satellite to orbit for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) – Rocket Labs 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 5. 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 Labs 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, said: 'Every Electron launch is a demonstration of payload deployment precision for our customers an especially critical element when scaling satellite constellations. Todays fifth and flawless deployment for iQPS once again underscores Electrons reliability and continues to prove that consistent tailored access to space is a reality on Electron for our customers.' Dr Shunsuke Onishi, CEO, iQPS, added: '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 Labs 11th Electron mission of 2025 and its 69th launch overall. Details of the next Electron launch will be shared in the coming days.
UPI
4 days ago
- Science
- UPI
Rocket Lab launches Japanese radar satellite
Rocket lab launched a synthetic aperture radar satellite dubbed QPS-SAR-12 for the Japanese company IQS on Tuesday morning apart of a mission to build their constellation in low Earth Orbit. Photo courtesy of Rocket Lab Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Rocket Lab launched a synthetic aperture radar satellite dubbed QPS-SAR-12 for the Japanese company IQS on Tuesday morning, part of a mission to build its constellation in low Earth Orbit. The mission "The Harvest Goddess Thrives" lifted off from Rocket Lab's launch complex 1 at the New Zealand site at 12:10 a.m. EDT. The deployed satellite went into circular orbit 357 miles above Earth after about 54 minutes, Rocket Lab said on X. "Every Electron launch is a demonstration of payload deployment precision for our customers -- an especially critical element when scaling satellite constellations," Rocket Lab Founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said in a press release. 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 for Electron for our customers." "The data gathered by QPS-SAR constellation has the potential to revolutionize industries and reshape the future," Rocket Lab wrote in the mission's press release. "The Harvest Goddess Thrvies" is Rocket Lab's 11th Electron Mission this year and 69th launch overall.
