The Japanese space agency, JAXA, has opted for Rocket Lab's services to launch a series of technology demonstration satellites aboard Electron rockets, a decision prompted by persistent delays affecting a Japanese launch vehicle. Rocket Lab made the announcement on October 10, revealing the signing of a contract with JAXA for two dedicated Electron launches, both scheduled to take place from New Zealand. The first launch is expected late this year, with the second following in early 2026. The financial details of the agreement remain undisclosed.
The inaugural launch, planned for December, will carry the Rapid Innovative Payload Demonstration Satellite 4, or RAISE-4. This 110-kilogram spacecraft is designed to evaluate eight cutting-edge technologies developed by various Japanese companies and organizations. The subsequent launch, anticipated in early 2026, will deploy eight cubesats, also tasked with testing advanced technologies.
“These missions are a demonstration of Electron’s global importance — supporting the growth of Japan’s space industry with launch on a U.S. rocket from a New Zealand launch site — and we’re proud to be entrusted to deliver them,” stated Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s chief executive.
Japan has emerged as a significant market for Rocket Lab's Electron. Last year, Astroscale utilized an Electron to launch its ADRAS-J spacecraft, intended to inspect a derelict upper stage in low Earth orbit. Furthermore, iQPS and Synspective, two Japanese companies developing constellations of radar imaging satellites, have become regular Electron customers. Synspective, holding a contract for 10 additional Electron launches signed on September 30, stands as Electron's largest customer, with a backlog of 21 launches.
However, the JAXA contract highlights the continuing difficulties associated with domestic small launch vehicles. Originally, RAISE-4 and the eight CubeSats, collectively known as Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-4, were slated to launch together on a single Epsilon-S rocket. The Epsilon, however, has been grounded since a launch failure three years prior, during the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3 mission. Further setbacks for the Epsilon program include failures of upgraded solid-rocket motors during two static-fire tests conducted in July 2023 and November 2024, suspending future launch plans.
In slides presented during an October 10 JAXA briefing on Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-4, the agency acknowledged that issues with the Epsilon prompted the decision to transfer the satellites to Electron. “In rocket development, encountering technical challenges is not uncommon, and now we are investigating the root cause and implementing countermeasures,” explained Kazuhiro Yagi, director general manager of the space transportation business development department at IHI Aerospace, the prime contractor for the Epsilon, during a panel at World Space Business Week on Sept. 17. He refrained from sharing technical details about the issue and did not provide a timeline for the vehicle's return to flight, adding, “I can assure you that safety and reliability remain our top priorities.”
While other small launch vehicles are under development by Japanese companies, none have yet achieved orbit. Kairos, a small launch vehicle by Space One, has launched twice but malfunctioned both times, most recently last December. The company has not announced a date for the vehicle’s next launch. Interstellar Technologies, another Japanese company, is developing the Zero rocket and announced in July it raised $62 million to support its development. A first launch of Zero was once planned for 2025, but the company now says that launch will take place no earlier than 2027.