On March 14, Rocket Lab successfully launched the QPS-SAR-9 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japanese company. This mission marks the first of eight planned launches under a contract with iQPS, representing a significant step towards their goal of a 36-satellite constellation.
The Electron rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, deploying the satellite into a 575-kilometer orbit. The successful deployment follows a previous launch of the QPS-SAR-5 satellite in December 2023. Rocket Lab secured two contracts with iQPS in February, each encompassing four launches, with six scheduled for this year and two in 2026.
This launch is Rocket Lab's third this year, showcasing their ambitious launch schedule. Their next mission, involving the remaining Kinéis tracking satellites, is planned for March 17. Rocket Lab aims for "more than 20" Electron launches in 2025, encompassing both orbital and suborbital missions. As Brian Rogers, vice president of global launch services at Rocket Lab, stated at the Satellite 2025 conference: “To hit scale is a really important part of the equation. Being able to hit cadence by any means necessary is the secret sauce.”