Rocket Lab has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Japanese Earth observation company Synspective, signing a contract for ten dedicated Electron rocket launches between 2025 and 2027. This agreement, the largest in Rocket Lab’s history, will support the growth of Synspective’s StriX constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.

The deal was unveiled at an event in Tokyo, attended by key executives from both companies and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who highlighted the importance of international collaboration in driving the global space industry forward. Synspective’s StriX satellites are designed to collect high-resolution imagery of Earth’s surface, capable of detecting millimetre-level changes day or night and through any weather conditions. By launching on dedicated Electron missions, Synspective will have greater control over their launch schedule and orbital placement, ensuring optimal coverage and performance for their constellation.

The new multi-launch agreement builds upon an already strong partnership between Rocket Lab and Synspective. Rocket Lab has served as a dedicated launch provider for Synspective since 2020, having successfully deployed four StriX satellites across four missions to date, with two more launches planned for this year from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

This landmark deal not only demonstrates the rapid growth of Japan’s space industry but also underscores the increasing demand for tailored small satellite launch services. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, manufactured in the USA and launched from New Zealand, provides a unique and flexible solution for companies like Synspective looking to build out their satellite constellations efficiently. As Synspective continues to expand its StriX constellation and its Earth observation capabilities, this long-term partnership with Rocket Lab will play a crucial role in enabling the company to scale its operations and deliver valuable data and insights to its customers.

Previous Rocket Lab / Syspective Missions

Launch 45 | 13 March 2024

• Name: Owl Night Long
• Customer: Synspective
• Launch Site: Launch Complex 1
• Description: The mission aimed to launch a synthetic aperture radar satellite for urban infrastructure monitoring.

Launch 30 | 15 September 2022

• Name: The Owl Spreads Its Wings
• Customer: Synspective
• Launch Site: Launch Complex 1
• Description: This mission launched another synthetic aperture radar satellite for urban monitoring.

Launch 24 | 28 February 2022

• Name: The Owl’s Night Continues
• Customer: Synspective
• Launch Site: Launch Complex 1
• Description: The mission deployed another satellite for urban infrastructure monitoring using SAR.

Launch 17 | 15 December 2020

• Name: The Owl’s Night Begins
• Customer: Synspective
• Launch Site: Launch Complex 1
• Description: This mission launched the first of Synspective’s SAR satellites for urban infrastructure monitoring.