Third Mission for iQPS Launched by Rocket Lab
Schedule Set For the Next Mission in the Multi-Lauch Contract
The third mission for Japanese customer Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) has been launched by Rocket Lab. ‘The Sea God Sees’ mission carried iQPS’ QPS-SAR-10, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth-imaging satellite, to a 575km (≈350 mile) low Earth orbit, where it was deployed as part of iQPS’ growing constellation.
“Constellation deployment requires a reliable rocket with pinpoint orbital deployment accuracy that allows for the seamless integration of the latest spacecraft to the constellation.”
Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab
The mission was launched just weeks’ after Rocket Lab’s previous launch for iQPS was deployed on March 15, 2025 – demonstrating frequent, reliable, and dedicated small orbital launch for satellite operators with 100% mission success in 2025.
This mission was the third overall launch for iQPS and the second in a multi-launch contract to launch eight missions for the company in 2025 and 2026. Four more launches are scheduled for launch this year, with the remaining two scheduled for 2026. Rocket Lab’s next mission for iQPS is scheduled to launch in less than a month’s time, from no earlier than June 2025.
“Constellation deployment requires a reliable rocket with pinpoint orbital deployment accuracy that allows for the seamless integration of the latest spacecraft to the constellation – and that’s exactly the service Electron continues to provide as the global leading launcher for small satellite missions," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck. "With another mission lined up with iQPS in just a few short weeks, we’re looking forward to supporting their constellation with multiple missions this year and next.”
“We ... have successfully launched our 10th satellite, “WADATSUMI-I,” into orbit just two months after the launch of our QPS-SAR-9 “SUSANOO-I,” said iQPS CEO, Dr. Shunsuke Onishi. "This achievement is a remarkable milestone to the outstanding technical capabilities of our development team, and we are deeply grateful to Rocket Lab team for enabling such a precise and agile launch. With more Electron launches ahead, we’re more committed than ever to accelerating the buildout of our satellite constellation, and we look forward to continuing this powerful partnership.”