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Rocket Lab • Electron • Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B (NZ-HKB)
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.
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Official Rocket Lab launch images and footage are expected after the mission.
Stream links and embedded coverage.
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ArticleRocket Lab launched another satellite for Japanese radar-imaging company iQPS on Aug. 20. The post Rocket Lab launches 9th satellite for iQPS appeared first...
ArticleST. LOUIS — Japan’s Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, iQPS, plans to launch eight additional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites through the end o...
Provider, rocket, pad, and booster history tied to this launch.
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.

Open the launch pad in Google Maps satellite mode using the pad coordinates.
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.
Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.
0bea2a6fe5fa2a811ba7c42d035c9109bd1bfe89a69914cd7f663e2fc275ac88A launch-area reference. Use your location for a viewpoint-specific result.
The plume stays in Earth’s shadow
A broad, sunlit jellyfish-style plume is not expected at the launch area under the current model. The rocket may still be visible as a point.
A planning call from the viewing model, not a percent chance or a guarantee.
If needed, your browser asks permission only after you choose this. The launch-area result is not a forecast for your viewpoint.
This call uses a modeled ascent corridor rather than an exact mission path. The overall call remains useful; direction and timing are approximate.
No broad, sunlit jellyfish plume is currently expected at the modeled viewpoint.
This outlook evaluates whether a broad, sunlit ascent plume could stand out. It does not yet predict whether a specific vehicle will produce one, and a no-jellyfish call does not mean the rocket itself will be invisible.