Rocket Lab Successfully Deploys Sixth Earth-Imaging Satellite for iQPS

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) successfully launched Electron mission F74, deploying a single synthetic aperture radar satellite QPS-SAR-14 (YACHIHOKO-I) to a 575km circular orbit on Nov 5, 2025.

This was Rocket Lab's 74th Electron launch, the company's 16th of 2025 (matching its 2024 yearly record), and the sixth dedicated mission for iQPS. Rocket Lab also announced an additional multi-launch agreement with iQPS, under which Electron will carry six more dedicated iQPS missions to expand the company's Earth-imaging constellation.

Positive

• QPS-SAR-14 deployed to a 575km circular orbit
• 74th Electron launch for Rocket Lab
• Sixth dedicated mission for iQPS, most prolific launcher for their constellation
• Additional multi-launch agreement secured for six more iQPS missions
• 16 launches in 2025, matching Rocket Lab's annual record of 16 in 2024

Negative

• None.

Insights

Launch & Satellite Contracts Analyst

Successful deployment and a follow-on multi-launch deal strengthen Rocket Lab's commercial launch position and recurring revenue potential.

Rocket Lab completed its 74th Electron mission on November 5, 2025, delivering the SAR satellite QPS-SAR-14 to a 575km circular orbit and marking the company's sixth dedicated mission for iQPS. The release confirms an additional multi-launch agreement and six more dedicated iQPS missions, which reinforces a visible backlog of near-term launch work and repeat customer activity.

The key dependency remains execution: future revenue and margin recognition hinge on completing the contracted missions on schedule and maintaining high launch cadence. Operational risks include potential launch delays, integration issues, or manifest slips; none are reported here. Monitor completion of the next six missions and any disclosures on contract terms or timing over the next 6–18 months for contract revenue realization and cadence confirmation.

LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 74^th Electron mission and deployed the latest satellite to orbit for Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). The mission was Rocket Lab’s sixth dedicated mission for iQPS, making Rocket Lab the most prolific launcher of their Earth-imaging constellation to date.

‘The Nation God Navigates’ mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 19:51 UTC on November 5^th to deploy a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite named QPS-SAR-14 (nicknamed YACHIHOKO-I for the Japanese god of nation-building) to a 575km circular Earth orbit. Electron will launch six more dedicated iQPS missions following the recent signing of an additional multi-launch agreement to build out their constellation in low Earth orbit.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: "Success in the space industry boils down to precision and repeatability. This latest mission for iQPS once again demonstrates the pinpoint accuracy our customers depend on to grow their constellations, and we’re grateful to the iQPS team for trusting us with their launch needs. With six seamless deployments for iQPS in the books, Electron is ready for the next six.”

iQPS CEO, Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, says: “We are pleased to announce the successful deployment of QPS-SAR-14 ‘YACHIHOKO-I’, marking our fifth successful launch this year. This milestone reflects the steady advancement of our technology and the growth of our team. We sincerely thank the Electron team and all our members for their outstanding work. With this success, we move closer to realizing our vision of near real-time Earth observation and delivering greater value to society.”

‘The Nation God Navigates’ was Electron’s 74^th launch to date and 16^th this year, meeting Rocket Lab’s current record high of yearly launches, which was 16 in 2024. With more Electron missions scheduled throughout the remainder of 2025, Rocket Lab is on track for another record-breaking year of launches, all while the Company prepares for the debut launch of its medium-lift reusable rocket, Neutron.

Launch images: F74 | The Nation God Navigates | Flickr

Launch webcast: Rocket Lab - 'The Nation God Navigates' Launch - YouTube

Rocket Lab Media Contact
Kate Gamble
media@rocketlabusa.com

About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of spacecraft platforms, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered over 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft platforms have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4dde0cad-26de-4fa0-99dd-1d6af9a86527

FAQ

What did Rocket Lab (RKLB) launch on Nov 5, 2025?

Rocket Lab launched Electron mission F74 and deployed the SAR satellite QPS-SAR-14 (YACHIHOKO-I) to a 575km circular orbit.

How many Electron missions has Rocket Lab flown after the Nov 5, 2025 launch?

The Nov 5 launch was Rocket Lab's 74th Electron mission.

What is the relationship between Rocket Lab (RKLB) and iQPS after this launch?

Rocket Lab completed its sixth dedicated mission for iQPS and signed an additional multi-launch agreement for six more dedicated iQPS missions.

How many launches has Rocket Lab completed in 2025 and does that set a new record?

Rocket Lab reached 16 launches in 2025, matching its yearly record of 16 set in 2024; more missions are scheduled for 2025.

What orbit was QPS-SAR-14 placed into and what type of payload is it?

QPS-SAR-14 is a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite placed into a 575km circular Earth orbit.