Rocket Lab Secures Another Multi-Launch Electron Deal with iQPS
The latest constellation deployment contract is the third multi-launch booking on Electron by iQPS announced in the past year, per RocketLab.
(Long Beach, California) Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) announced today (Jul. 30) that the company has signed a multi-launch deal with the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (“iQPS”) (TYO: 464A) for three new dedicated launches on Electron.
Image of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket taking off uploaded to Flickr on March 20, 2026 via Flickr.
Per today’s press release from Rocket Lab, the contract marks the third multi-launch booking on Electron by iQPS announced in less than a year, bringing the total number of Electron launches booked by iQPS to date to 18.
As iQPS’ primary launch provider, Electron has deployed seven QPS-SAR satellites to space with 100% mission success since 2023, per Rocket Lab.
The three new dedicated iQPS launches are scheduled to take place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 starting in late 2027.
Per Rocket Lab, each of the contracted iQPS missions will deploy a single QPS-SAR satellite to a 575km low Earth orbit that will continue the build-out of iQPS’ Earth-imaging constellation using synthetic aperture radar — a technology that enables images to be created from radio wave measurements and allows data to be collected during any time of day and under any weather conditions.
Rocket Lab’s own satellite separation system – the Motorized Lightband – has also been purchased for all iQPS missions — which will streamline the company’s access to space with reduced scheduling risk, according to Rocket Lab.
