Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Fifth Radar Imaging Satellite for Synspective

Rocket Lab has successfully launched the fifth synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite for Japanese company Synspective. The Electron rocket, carrying the StriX spacecraft, lifted off from Pad B at Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 at 9:39 a.m. Eastern time.

The mission proceeded flawlessly, with the rocket’s kick stage deploying the satellite into a planned 543-kilometer orbit inclined at 43 degrees approximately one hour post-launch.

This satellite, the fifth SAR satellite launched by Tokyo-based Synspective, is significant as it represents the first in a third generation of their spacecraft.

“The upgraded synthetic aperture radar sensor will provide images with even higher resolution and wide-area imaging,” - Toshihiro Obata, Head of Synspective Technology Strategy Office

Another key feature of this satellite is its orbital path. Unlike its predecessors that were placed in sun-synchronous orbits, this satellite is the first to be deployed into a mid-inclination orbit. This satellite will “enable high-frequency imaging and imaging from multiple directions” for regions in low- and mid-latitudes; however, this comes at the cost of not being able to observe high-latitude locations.

Synspective has consistently relied on Rocket Lab’s Electron for its satellite launches since 2020.

Following this launch, a sixth satellite launch is scheduled for later this year. Beyond this, a contract announced on June 17 between Rocket Lab and Synspective outlines a series of 10 launches from 2025 through 2027. While the contract's value remains undisclosed, Rocket Lab noted that it is the largest single launch contract in the company’s history.

Following the contract's signing, Synspective revealed a significant financial boost, raising 7 billion yen ($48 million) in a Series C funding round. The company stated this funding would facilitate the mass production of its satellites, with an ambitious target of deploying up to 30 satellites by the decade’s end.

“It’s wonderful to have launched our second mission for Synspective in five months as we continue our longstanding launch partnership. Electron is the ideal rocket for providing flexible, tailored and direct access to orbit for constellation builders like Synspective.” - Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab

Synspective was not the original customer for this particular Electron launch. Initially, Capella Space, another SAR satellite operator, was slated to fly one of its Acadia spacecraft on this mission, scheduled for July 20. However, Rocket Lab announced a few days before the launch that Capella Space requested a delay to conduct additional tests on their spacecraft.

This mission marks Rocket Lab's ninth launch this year, bringing them close to their record of ten Electron launches in a single year. Despite this achievement, the company faces challenges in meeting its earlier goal of up to 22 launches this year.

Rocket Lab is set to report its second-quarter financial results on August 8, after market close, which will provide further insights into the company's performance and future projections.