Rocket Lab to Launch Japanese Earth-Imaging Satellite YACHIHOKO-I for iQPS

Rocket Lab Prepares for Sixth iQPS Mission

Rocket Lab is scheduled to launch the QPS-SAR-14 satellite, nicknamed YACHIHOKO-I, for the Japanese Earth imaging company Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). The mission, dubbed 'The Nation God Navigates,' will see Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lift off from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula. The launch window is set to open on November 5, 2025, UTC. This launch represents the sixth dedicated mission for iQPS as part of a multi-launch agreement with Rocket Lab.

Mission Details and Satellite Capabilities

The Electron rocket will deploy the QPS-SAR-14 satellite into a 575-kilometer circular Earth orbit. The satellite, named YACHIHOKO-I after the Japanese god of nation-building and navigation, is a high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. These advanced satellites are designed to provide Earth monitoring services and capture high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day, utilizing a lightweight, large, stowable antenna. The QPS-SAR system can achieve a spatial resolution of 0.46 meters in spotlight mode.

Expanding the iQPS Constellation

The QPS-SAR-14 satellite will join iQPS's expanding constellation, which aims to comprise 36 SAR satellites. The ultimate goal of this constellation is to provide near-real-time Earth observation, enabling images of specific regions globally at an average interval of just 10 minutes. This capability is crucial for various applications, including disaster prevention, marine monitoring, infrastructure management, and agriculture.

Rocket Lab's Role and Future Plans

This upcoming launch will be the 74th flight for Rocket Lab's Electron rocket and its 16th mission in 2025, highlighting the rocket's status as the world's most frequently launched commercial small-lift vehicle. Rocket Lab has established itself as a key partner for iQPS, with previous successful missions including 'The Moon God Awakens' in December 2023 and several others throughout 2025. Beyond this mission, six more dedicated iQPS launches are scheduled on Electron for 2026 and beyond, solidifying Rocket Lab's role as the primary launch provider for iQPS's growing constellation.