In early August 2025, Rocket Lab efficiently launched QPS-SAR-12 (nicknamed Kushinada-I), a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite tv for pc constructed by Japan’s iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Area). This mission, known as “The Harvest Goddess Thrives” in honor of a Japanese goddess of harvest and prosperity, was Rocket Lab’s fifth devoted launch for iQPS. The 59-foot (18-meter) Electron rocket lifted the satellite tv for pc right into a 575-km round orbit. QPS-SAR-12 will be a part of an increasing constellation of SAR Earth-imaging satellites, enabling all-weather, day-and-night remark. The launch exemplifies Rocket Lab’s area of interest position in deploying small devoted satellites and advances iQPS’s objective of a 36-satellite international SAR community.
The “Harvest Goddess Thrives” Mission
In keeping with Rocket Lab’s press release, the Electron rocket lifts off on Aug. 5, 2025, from Mahia, New Zealand. The mission, nicknamed “Harvest Goddess Thrives,” carried the QPS-SAR-12 radar satellite tv for pc (Kushinada-I) for iQPS. The 18-meter automobile powered away at 12:10 a.m. EDT (4:10 p.m. NZT).The Electron injected Kushinada-I right into a deliberate 575-km sun-synchronous orbit about 54 minutes after liftoff.
Kushinada-I honors a Shinto harvest goddess and is formally designated QPS-SAR-12. This was Rocket Lab’s fifth mission for iQPS and the 69th Electron flight total. Rocket Lab can also be growing a bigger Neutron rocket and operates a suborbital take a look at automobile (HASTE) for hypersonic analysis.
iQPS SAR Constellation and Purposes
By mid-2025, ten QPS-SAR satellites had been in orbit, and Kushinada-I turned the twelfth launched. iQPS plans a complete of 36 small SAR spacecraft. Every satellite tv for pc carries high-resolution SAR able to imaging via clouds or at evening. The complete constellation is designed to revisit any goal area roughly each 10 minutes, offering near-real-time monitoring.
The SAR community will picture each mounted terrain and shifting objects (automobiles, ships or livestock). Rocket Lab notes this steady knowledge stream “has the potential to revolutionize industries and reshape the longer term,” unlocking financial insights and predictive analytics for agriculture, city safety and different markets.