Rocket Lab Partners with Japanese iQPS for Exclusive Earth Imaging Launch

20 Aug, 2023

Rocket Lab Partners with Japanese iQPS for Exclusive Earth Imaging Launch

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a renowned leader in launch services and space systems globally, has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership. The company proudly announces a pivotal agreement to facilitate the launch of an Earth observation satellite via their Electron rocket. This satellite belongs to the esteemed Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a distinguished Earth imaging organization based in Japan.

Initially designated for launch via a different vehicle, iQPS has opted to collaborate with Rocket Lab for the exclusive deployment of their QPS-SAR-5 satellite, a testament to the innovation and swiftness Rocket Lab provides. The utilization of Rocket Lab's Electron rocket for this dedicated mission underlines the urgency and commitment to the success of iQPS's endeavors.

iQPS's synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) technology plays a pivotal role across diverse domains, including disaster prevention, marine monitoring, infrastructure management, and agriculture. By expediting the satellite's deployment, Rocket Lab empowers iQPS to expedite the delivery of these vital capabilities to various sectors.

Set for liftoff in September 2023, the Electron rocket will carry iQPS's QPS-SAR-5 satellite, affectionately named "TSUKUYOMI-I," into orbit. The launch, occurring from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, is aptly dubbed "The Moon God Awakens," a nod to Tsukuyomi, the revered Japanese God of the Moon.

Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, Peter Beck, underscores the alignment between the mission's urgency and Electron's capabilities, emphasizing the importance of timely launches to unique orbits. This partnership's significance lies in delivering reliability and ensuring iQPS's mission remains on schedule.

iQPS CEO Dr. Shunsuke Onishi expresses gratitude for this collaborative launch, which aids in the swift deployment of the satellites into orbit, paving the way for a constellation of 36 QPS-SAR satellites, enabling near real-time observations worldwide.

QPS-SAR-5, a sophisticated synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite, joins the constellation following QPS-SAR-6's successful launch. iQPS's small yet powerful SAR satellites employ lightweight, stowable antennas to capture high-resolution Earth images, even in adverse conditions. Ultimately, the envisioned constellation will consist of 36 satellites, ensuring frequent monitoring of specific Earth points every 10 minutes.

Adding to the significance of this mission, Rocket Lab's Mark II Motorized Lightband (MLB) separation system will be utilized by the QPS-SAR-5 satellite, demonstrating Rocket Lab's vertically integrated space systems strategy.

Established in 2006, Rocket Lab boasts a rich history of mission triumphs, rendering access to space faster, more straightforward, and cost-effective. With a portfolio encompassing launch services, satellite manufacturing, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions, Rocket Lab continues to redefine the space landscape. The company's visionary Electron rocket and Photon satellite platform have propelled a myriad of missions, from national security and scientific research to climate monitoring and communications. Their dedication to advancing space technology is evident through ongoing projects such as the large Neutron launch vehicle and collaborations with esteemed entities like NASA.

Rocket Lab's unparalleled contributions resonate globally, and their endeavors echo a future of limitless possibilities in the realms of space exploration and technology advancement.