Military Space News
ROCKET SCIENCE
Electron Launch Expands iQPS Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite Network
illustration only

Electron Launch Expands iQPS Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite Network

by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 06, 2025
Rocket Lab has completed its 74th Electron mission, launching a synthetic aperture radar satellite, QPS-SAR-14 (YACHIHOKO-I), for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). This marks the sixth dedicated Electron launch for iQPS, and advances their Earth-imaging constellation.

The 'Nation God Navigates' mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Complex 1 in New Zealand at 19:51 UTC on November 5, sending the satellite to a 575km circular orbit. Following a new multi-launch deal, Rocket Lab plans six more Electron flights to further develop the iQPS constellation in low Earth orbit.

Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab CEO, said, "Success in the space industry boils down to precision and repeatability. This latest mission for iQPS once again demonstrates the pinpoint accuracy our customers depend on to grow their constellations, and we're grateful to the iQPS team for trusting us with their launch needs. With six seamless deployments for iQPS in the books, Electron is ready for the next six."

Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, CEO of iQPS, stated, "We are pleased to announce the successful deployment of QPS-SAR-14 'YACHIHOKO-I', marking our fifth successful launch this year. This milestone reflects the steady advancement of our technology and the growth of our team. We sincerely thank the Electron team and all our members for their outstanding work. With this success, we move closer to realizing our vision of near real-time Earth observation and delivering greater value to society."

This was Electron's 16th launch in 2025, matching the company's highest launch count in a single year, set in 2024. More Electron missions are scheduled before the end of the year as Rocket Lab prepares for the initial flight of its Neutron medium-lift launcher.

Related Links
Rocket Lab Corporation
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
India space agency launches its heaviest satellite
Sriharikota, India (AFP) Nov 2, 2025
India launched its heaviest ever communication satellite on Sunday, the latest step in the country's ambitious space programme. The CMS-03 satellite blasted off from Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh at 5:26 pm (1156 GMT). "Our space sector continues to make us proud!" said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wants to send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. Weighing about 4,410 kilograms (9,722 pounds), it is "the heaviest communication satellite" launched in the count ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
Space Force operationally accepts SciTec Forge missile warning ground system

SpaceX launches 21 satellites for U.S. military from California

Shield or Spark? The U.S. Golden Dome and the New Missile Arms Race

Sierra Space clears design milestone for missile tracking satellites in SDA Tranche 2

ROCKET SCIENCE
North Korea announces missile test hours before Trump due in South

Russia's Burevestnik: A Nuclear-Powered Missile That Defies Convention

Trump says missile testing not 'appropriate', as Putin touts nuclear cruise missile

UK says allies should boost Ukraine's long-range missile reach

ROCKET SCIENCE
Northern German states look to joint anti-drone defences

Sudan army says intercepts drone attack on key southern city

Drones measure wastewater treatment plants greenhouse emissions at greater levels than official estimates

Drones, glide bombs and Patriots: weapons in Ukraine war

ROCKET SCIENCE
Vodafone, AST pick Germany for European satellite network

Possible interference to space communications found as atmospheric CO2 rises

China sends advanced communications satellite into orbit

Airbus, Thales, Leonardo sign deal to create satellite powerhouse

ROCKET SCIENCE
Sweden, Ukraine to develop new weapons together

Australian company Hypersonix secures major defence and aerospace investment for green hydrogen hypersonic flight

Croatia reintroduces conscription to boost defence

Vance event honoring Marines criticized as a 'dangerous' show of force

ROCKET SCIENCE
U.S. lifts Biden-era arms embargo on Cambodia

German defence giant Rheinmetall sticks to stellar growth goals

Probe into Thales defence group looking at Indonesian contract

Ex-U.S. defense contractor head pleads guilty to selling trade secrets

ROCKET SCIENCE
U.S. attacks another alleged drug trafficking boat, killing two

Merz chairs first meeting of new German security body; NATO chief plays down US troop withdrawal from Romania

UN Security Council votes to lift sanctions on Syrian president

US seeks to reboot military channels with China after Trump-Xi meet

ROCKET SCIENCE
Novel technique reveals true behavior of next-generation MXenes

Unique phase of water revealed in nanoscale confinement



The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2026 - SpaceDaily.com. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters