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Watch Rocket Lab launch a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit today
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Rocket Lab will launch a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit today, Aug. 20, with live coverage beginning 30 minutes before liftoff. An Electron vehicle is scheduled to lift off from the company's New Zealand site during a window opening at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT; 1 a.m. Aug. 21 local time). The payload is a radar satellite for Tokyo-based iQPS, marking the ninth launch for the company under their ongoing partnership.
iQPS is building a constellation of 36 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites in low Earth orbit. Unlike optical systems, SAR spacecraft can study Earth day or night and penetrate cloud cover, enabling high-resolution, near-real-time imagery. Today's mission is named "The Lightning God Defends" after the satellite's nickname, SUSANOO-II, referencing a Japanese lightning god.
The Electron rocket's kick stage will deploy SUSANOO-II about 50 minutes after launch at an altitude of 357 miles (575 kilometers). This flight is Rocket Lab's 14th of 2026 and 93rd overall, following an Aug. 6 launch that also carried an iQPS satellite. The consistent launch cadence demonstrates the reliability and demand for Electron's dedicated small-satellite services.
The rapid deployment of iQPS's SAR constellation matters because it will provide global customers with timely imaging regardless of weather or daylight. Rocket Lab described the network as being developed "at a rapid pace" to serve users with high-resolution data. Each successful launch brings iQPS closer to its 36-satellite goal, enhancing Earth observation capabilities.
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket, standing 59 feet tall, has become a workhorse for the small-satellite industry. The company also operates HASTE, a suborbital variant for hypersonic technology testing. These missions reinforce Rocket Lab's position as a leading launch provider for commercial constellations.
Looking ahead, the success of SUSANOO-II will likely strengthen the partnership between Rocket Lab and iQPS. More launches are expected as iQPS continues expanding its network. The growing demand for Earth-observation data suggests sustained momentum for SAR satellites and dedicated small launch vehicles.
