Technical Details
Rocket Lab has successfully launched a new Japanese radar satellite into orbit. The launch, named Viva La Strix, took place on May 22 at 12:33 Moscow time (05:33 EDT / 09:33 GMT) from Rocket Lab's launch complex on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. The flight went smoothly. According to the company's report, the Electron rocket's upper stage successfully delivered the Strix satellite to its target low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 572 kilometers.
Background and Context
The Tokyo-based company Synspective is deploying an orbital constellation of radar satellites with synthetic aperture (SAR). This network is designed to provide Japanese government and commercial structures with data necessary for urban planning, monitoring the condition of key infrastructure and construction sites, as well as for emergency response to natural and man-made disasters. The SAR technology allows radar instruments to form clear images of the planet's surface through dense clouds, fog, or smog, as well as in complete darkness.
Industry Impact
The Viva La Strix launch is the ninth mission that Rocket Lab has performed for the Japanese operator. The long-term partnership between the two companies is gaining momentum. As clarified by Rocket Lab's press service, the company has been the exclusive launch provider for Synspective's constellation since 2020. Rocket Lab has 18 more contracted launches in its order book, which are expected to deliver the remaining part of the radar constellation into orbit by 2030.