Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) has successfully launched its Electron rocket to deploy the latest Earth-imaging satellite for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS).
The “The Lightning God Defends” mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 1:04 a.m. NZST on August 21, 2026, deploying the latest QPS-SAR satellite in iQPS’ synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging constellation to a 575-kilometre low Earth orbit.
The mission marked Rocket Lab’s 93rd overall Electron launch and its 14th Electron launch of the year.
It was also the ninth deployment of a QPS-SAR satellite for iQPS, with all nine missions achieving mission success. The launch further supports Electron’s role as the launch vehicle for the iQPS satellite constellation.
Following the successful mission, nine additional dedicated Electron launches remain booked by iQPS to deploy satellites for its constellation through 2030.
