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Rocket Lab to launch Japanese radar satellite for Synspective constellation

Confirmed1 source · Aug 31, 2026

An Electron vehicle will lift off from New Zealand on Sept. 1 carrying a Strix satellite for Earth-imaging company Synspective.

Rocket Lab to launch Japanese radar satellite for Synspective constellation
Image via Space.com

What happened

Rocket Lab is scheduled to launch an Electron rocket from its New Zealand facility on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 a.m. EDT, carrying a single Strix satellite for Tokyo-based Earth-imaging company Synspective. The Strix satellite will be deployed 56 minutes after liftoff at an altitude of 357 miles. According to Space.com, ten Strix satellites have reached orbit to date, all aboard Electron vehicles, meaning this will be the 11th. The mission, called "Owl Around the World," will be Rocket Lab's 12th launch of 2026 and 85th overall.

Context

Synspective is assembling a constellation of approximately 30 Strix satellites in low Earth orbit, each equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to monitor Earth both day and night and in all weather conditions. The constellation is designed to rapidly monitor ground-level changes during disasters such as earthquakes and floods, particularly in areas difficult to access, as well as to track natural resources and urban development for sustainable land and water use. Rocket Lab is currently Synspective's sole launch provider and has 16 additional missions for the company on its manifest following this launch, indicating an ongoing relationship to build out the full constellation.