The deal cements Rocket Lab as iQPS’ primary launch provider, responsible for deploying its growing commercial Earth-imaging satellite constellation. The three new launches will lift-off from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, joining four previously booked missions to bring iQPS’ total number of dedicated Electron launches to seven.
Each mission will deliver a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite into orbit using Rocket Lab’s Motorized Lightband separation system, showcasing the company’s end-to-end capabilities across both launch and spacecraft systems.
Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Sir Peter Beck said the new agreement strengthens a successful and long-term partnership with iQPS, “We’re proud to be expanding our partnership with iQPS to deliver their QPS-SAR satellites to orbit.”
Beck added, “By choosing both Electron and our separation systems, iQPS benefits from a fully integrated service that maximises reliability and speeds up access to space. It’s a privilege to continue supporting iQPS as they grow their constellation.”
iQPS chief executive Dr Shunsuke Onishi said the company’s confidence in Rocket Lab’s reliability was reaffirmed following four successful launches of QPS-SAR satellites aboard Electron in 2025.
“This outcome was exactly as anticipated and further confirmed our trust in the rocket’s reliability. We’re very pleased to have signed an additional contract for the launch of three more satellites on Electron. This is a key step towards realising our full QPS-SAR constellation, and we’ll continue working with dedication to achieve that goal,” Onishi said.
Rocket Lab’s next mission for iQPS is scheduled for November, with further details to be released in the coming days.
Founded in 2005 by two emeritus professors from Kyushu University and a veteran rocket developer, iQPS aims to build Japan’s regional space industry. The company leverages more than two decades of small satellite expertise to develop high-resolution SAR imaging systems for global Earth observation.