Rocket Lab Signs Launch Deal With Japanese Earth Imaging Company iQPS

Rocket Lab USA, Inc RKLB has signed a deal to launch an Earth observation satellite on Electron for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company.

iQPS was originally manifested on another launch vehicle, but iQPS has now selected Rocket Lab to launch QPS-SAR-5 on a dedicated Electron mission to expedite the deployment.

The launch is scheduled for lift-off in September 2023 and will carry iQPS's QPS-SAR-5 satellite named TSUKUYOMI-I into orbit on a dedicated Electron mission from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.

Also Read: Rocket Lab Inks A Double-Launch Deal With NASA

The mission has been named "The Moon God Awakens" in acknowledgment of Tsukuyomi, the Japanese God of the Moon.

"This is exactly the kind of mission Electron was designed for and has delivered on time and time again – a customer urgently seeking dedicated launch to a unique orbit on a rapid timeline," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck.

QPS-SAR-5 is a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite that will join a constellation after QPS-SAR-6 already in orbit. 

iQPS's satellites use a lightweight, large, stowable antenna to collect high resolution images of Earth, even through clouds and adverse weather conditions.

Also Read: Rocket Lab Q2 EPS Misses Estimate

Price Action: RKLB shares are trading lower by 0.72% at $5.52 on the last check Friday.