Rocket Lab launches 9th satellite for iQPS

Rocket Lab is set to launch a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite, SUSANOO-II, into orbit from its New Zealand site today, August 20. The Electron vehicle is scheduled to take off during a launch window that opens at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT; 1 a.m. on Aug. 21 local New Zealand time). The satellite, which is part of iQPS's constellation of 36 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, will be able to study Earth day or night and can peer through cloud cover.

The launch will be streamed live on Rocket Lab's website, and Space.com will carry the feed if made available. This will be Rocket Lab's ninth launch for iQPS and 93rd overall in 2026.

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