Washington, USA: Rocket Lab successfully launched its Electron rocket, carrying the Japanese QPS-SAR satellite into low Earth orbit.
The company explained that the 'Lightning God Defends' mission was launched from its Launch Complex No. 1 in New Zealand, and succeeded in placing the satellite in a circular orbit at an altitude of 575 kilometers.
The QPS-SAR satellite is part of a constellation of satellites dedicated to imaging the Earth using SAR artificial aperture radar technology, allowing high-resolution images of the Earth's surface to be provided in various weather conditions.
This launch represents the 93rd flight of the Electron rocket, and the company's fourteenth flight this year. It is also the ninth QPS-SAR satellite launched by the company.
Rocket Lab said the mission is part of ongoing cooperation with the Japanese company (iQPS) to deploy its constellation of Earth observation satellites.