Rocket Lab Launches Japanese Radar Satellite into Orbit Tonight
Rocket Lab is set to launch a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite for Japanese Earth-imaging company iQPS tonight, August 4, 2023. The launch will take place at 11:45 p.m. EDT (0345 GMT and 3:45 p.m. local New Zealand time on August 5) from Rocket Lab’s site in New Zealand. The event will be streamed live, providing viewers an opportunity to witness the launch of the QPS-SAR-12 satellite, affectionately known as Kushinada-I.
The Electron rocket is scheduled to deploy Kushinada-I into a circular orbit approximately 357 miles (575 kilometers) above Earth about 54 minutes after liftoff. This mission, titled “The Harvest Goddess Thrives,” pays homage to Kushinada, a Japanese goddess associated with harvest and prosperity.
Kushinada-I marks the twelfth satellite in the iQPS fleet. The company aims to establish a constellation of 36 SAR spacecraft that can monitor the Earth’s surface at all times, including through cloud cover and during the night. Rocket Lab highlighted the potential impact of the data collected by the QPS-SAR constellation, stating it “has the potential to revolutionize industries and reshape the future.”
According to Rocket Lab’s mission press kit, the insights gained from moving object data can unlock significant economic value. The integration of this information with weather, market, and economic data could enhance urban safety and security, provide predictive analytics for agriculture, and support national economies and regional markets.
The launch tonight is significant for Rocket Lab, marking its fifth mission for iQPS and the 69th overall flight of the Electron rocket, which is designed to transport small satellites to orbit. The Electron stands at a height of 59 feet (18 meters) and provides dedicated rides for satellites.
In addition to the Electron, Rocket Lab is developing a suborbital variant known as HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron). This vehicle serves as a testbed for hypersonic technology. The company is also working on a larger rocket named Neutron, which is expected to debut later this year.
As anticipation builds for tonight’s launch, observers around the world will be watching closely to see the successful deployment of Kushinada-I, which promises to contribute valuable data for various sectors globally.
