The Lightning God Defends (QPS-SAR-18)

The payload

QPS-SAR-18, named SUSANOO-II, a synthetic aperture radar satellite for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) of Fukuoka. The operator says the satellite separated into its planned orbit about 50 minutes after liftoff, made first contact around 40 minutes after that in good health, and deployed its antenna the same day. Rocket Lab counts it as the 93rd Electron flight and the ninth QPS-SAR satellite it has carried.

Status history

1. 20 Aug 2026iQPS published the flight window the same day: 13:00 UTC on 20 August, given as 10 p.m. JST, to a mid-inclined orbit at 575 km.
2. 21 Aug 2026iQPS confirmed the launch, separation into the planned orbit about 50 minutes later, first communication about 40 minutes after that with every system healthy, and antenna deployment. Rocket Lab announced mission success as its 93rd Electron flight. A note on the clock: the operator's English release is datelined 21 August and says 10:04 p.m. JST, which reads as 22:04 JST on the 20th, and Rocket Lab gives 01:04 NZST on the 21st. Both resolve to 13:04 UTC on 20 August, which is the time recorded here.

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