Rocket Lab has secured a new contract from Japanese radar satellite company iQPS for three additional launches of its Electron rocket. This deal expands an existing partnership between the two firms, which already includes a dedicated launch for iQPS's first satellite. The missions will deploy the company's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites into low Earth orbit.
Each launch will utilize Rocket Lab's Electron vehicle, a small-lift rocket designed for dedicated missions for small satellites. The missions are part of iQPS's plan to build a constellation of SAR satellites capable of providing high-resolution imagery regardless of weather or lighting conditions. The contract was announced by Rocket Lab.
The specific timeline for the three launches was not disclosed in the announcement. The news follows the initial contract for a dedicated launch of iQPS's first satellite, which is also scheduled to fly on an Electron rocket. The announcement did not provide details on any past launch delays or specific launch windows for the new missions.
This contract represents a significant commercial win for Rocket Lab in the competitive small launch market, demonstrating continued demand for dedicated rides to orbit. It also underscores the growing commercial interest in SAR satellite constellations for Earth observation, a sector with applications in defense, agriculture, and disaster monitoring. The deal strengthens Rocket Lab's position against other small launch providers.
The financial terms of the three-launch contract were not released. The agreement highlights the ongoing shift toward commercial providers for access to space, even for specialized national capabilities like radar imaging.