Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) , a provider of launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 69th Electron mission and deployed the latest satellite to orbit for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) — Rocket Lab’s fifth dedicated mission in a multi-launch contract to build their constellation in low Earth orbit.
‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 04:10 UTC on August 5th. Electron deployed a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite named QPS-SAR-12 (nicknamed KUSHINADA-I for the Japanese goddess of harvest and agriculture) to a 575km circular Earth orbit. It was Rocket Lab’s fourth launch this year for iQPS and fifth mission overall, making Electron the most prolific launcher of their constellation to date. Four more dedicated iQPS missions are scheduled to launch on Electron through the remainder of this year and in 2026.
Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, stated, “Every Electron launch is a demonstration of payload deployment precision for our customers — an especially critical element when scaling satellite constellations. Today’s fifth and flawless deployment for iQPS once again underscores Electron’s reliability and continues to prove that consistent tailored access to space is a reality on Electron for our customers.”
iQPS CEO, Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, continued, “Building a satellite constellation requires both timely development and manufacturing, as well as highly precise launch execution. We are deeply grateful to both our team and the Rocket Lab team for their continued dedication in making this possible. As the number of satellites increases, so too does the frequency and value of the data we are able to provide. We will continue to accelerate our efforts to ensure that our satellite data can be leveraged in even more fields and applications.”
‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ marks Rocket Lab’s 11th Electron mission of 2025 and its 69th launch overall. Details of the next Electron launch will be shared in the coming days.
‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ will be the fifth mission deployed on Electron for iQPS, following previous successful missions ‘The Moon God Awakens’ in December 2023 as well as ‘The Lightning God Reigns’, ‘The Sea God Sees’ and ‘The Mountain God Guards’ in 2025. Three more dedicated iQPS missions are scheduled to launch on Electron through the remainder of this year and into 2026.
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is a commercial spaceport located close to Ahuriri Point at the southern tip of Māhia Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. It is owned and operated by private spaceflight company Rocket Lab and supports launches of the company’s Electron rocket for small satellites. With the launch of Electron on 25 May 2017, it became the first private spaceport to host an orbital launch attempt, and the first site in New Zealand to host an orbital launch attempt. With the Electron launch of 21 January 2018, it became the first private spaceport to host a successful orbital launch.
Kiwi’s Rocket Lab readies for Monday launch of iQPS’ ‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ Earth monitoring services
Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the launch window for its next mission for multi-launch customer, Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company — marking Electron’s 69th mission to date and 11th launch this year.
The mission, named ‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’, is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens on August 5, 2025 UTC. The mission will deploy QPS-SAR-12, nicknamed KUSHINADA-I for the Japanese goddess of harvest and prosperity, to a 575km circular Earth orbit to join the rest of the QPS-SAR constellation in providing high resolution synthetic aperture radar images and Earth monitoring services globally.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 55°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 12mph.
‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ will be the fifth mission deployed on Electron for iQPS, following previous successful missions ‘The Moon God Awakens’ in December 2023 as well as ‘The Lightning God Reigns’, ‘The Sea God Sees’ and ‘The Mountain God Guards’ in 2025. Three more dedicated iQPS missions are scheduled to launch on Electron through the remainder of this year and into 2026.
This upcoming launch falls within a year of records for Rocket Lab, which continues to demonstrate consistent responsive launch capabilities and operational excellence amid a steadily increasing launch cadence. Achieving 100% mission success for all Electron launches this year, Rocket Lab continues to solidify its position as the global leader in dedicated small satellite launches for commercial, civil, and government missions, all while preparing for the anticipated debut of its medium-lift reusable Neutron rocket.