Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) has successfully launched its 92nd overall Electron mission and the 13th of 2026 from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 9:18 p.m. NZST on August 6, deploying the QPS-SAR-13 (MIKURA-I) synthetic-aperture radar satellite for Japan-based Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS).
Eighth Of 18 Dedicated Flights
Named "The Grain Goddess Provides" after a Japanese goddess associated with abundance and prosperity, the mission was the eighth QPS-SAR satellite deployed by Rocket Lab with 100% mission success. Another 10 dedicated Electron launches for iQPS are on the manifest to complete the constellation before 2030 — a build-out that keeps Electron booked as the SAR operator's primary launch provider.
Constellation-Class Cadence
The QPS-SAR constellation is being built to 36 satellites in low Earth orbit across 12 different orbital planes, giving iQPS near-real-time synthetic-aperture radar imagery day or night and through cloud cover. The next Electron mission, "The Lightning God Defends," is scheduled later this month from LC-1 and will carry another QPS-SAR bird.
Growing Backlog For Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is riding a broader wave of demand for dedicated small-satellite launches alongside progress on its reusable medium-lift Neutron rocket. Electron has now supported more than 1,700 missions across constellation deployment, defense and deep-space exploration, and the iQPS relationship is emerging as one of its longest-running commercial constellation contracts.
Reporting based on coverage from Rocket Lab, GlobeNewswire and SpaceNews.