Rocket Lab Launch in New Zealand: Japan's iQPS Earth Observation Satellite

Rocket Lab Launch in New Zealand: Japan's iQPS Earth Observation Satellite

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. successfully launched its third mission for Japanese customer, Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). ‘The Sea God Sees’ mission successfully launched on an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 8:17 p.m. on May 17th, 2025. The mission carried iQPS’ QPS-SAR-10, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth-imaging satellite, to a 575km low Earth orbit, where it was deployed as part of iQPS’ growing constellation. 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.

Today’s 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.

Learn more about iQPS:
https://i-qps.net/en/

Learn more about Rocket Lab:
https://www.rocketlabusa.com

Image Credit: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
Location: Mahia, New Zealand

Capture Date: May 17, 2025

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