Rocket Lab's 85th Launch

Rocket Lab launched a private Japanese radar satellite to orbit on September 2, marking the company's 85th overall mission and 12th of 2026. The launch carried a single Strix satellite for Synspective, a Tokyo-based Earth-imaging company, as part of a constellation of about 30 Strix satellites in low Earth orbit.

The Electron vehicle lifted off from Rocket Lab's New Zealand site during a window that opened at 7:00 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT; 11:00 p.m. local New Zealand time). The Electron's upper 'kick stage' deployed the Strix satellite 56 minutes after liftoff, at an altitude of 357 miles (575 kilometers).

This mission is part of a larger partnership between Rocket Lab and Synspective, with 16 more missions for the company on Rocket Lab's manifest after the September 2 launch. Ten Strix satellites have reached orbit to date, all of them atop Electron vehicles.

## What the satellites do The Strix satellites use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to study the Earth both day and night, and in all weather conditions. This technology will enable quick monitoring and confirmation of on-the-ground changes during disasters such as earthquakes and floods, even at night or in areas that are difficult to access.

## Why it matters The Strix constellation will have a significant impact on disaster response and resource utilization. The satellite data can be used to monitor natural resources and urban development, ensuring sustainable and optimal use of land and water. With the ability to collect data in all weather conditions, the Strix satellites will provide valuable insights for a range of applications.

The successful launch of the Strix satellite marks an important milestone in the development of the constellation, which is expected to play a key role in promoting efficient resource utilization and disaster response. As the constellation continues to grow, it will provide increasingly valuable insights into our planet and its resources.