Japanese Earth observation company Synspective has signed a three-year, multi-launch agreement with Rocket Lab USA to support the expansion of a synthetic aperture radar constellation.
Rocket Lab will use its Electron launch vehicle to lift off 10 dedicated missions that will send payloads to orbit for the Tokyo-based company’s StriX constellation. The first one is expected to launch in 2025 from New Zealand, with plans to complete all other satellite deployments by 2027.
The launch contract builds on Rocket Lab’s four previous liftoffs and two launches scheduled in the coming months for Synspective.
Rocket Lab has been the Japanese company’s sole launch provider since 2020, following the first StriX mission.
The latest agreement was announced during a Tokyo event attended by Rocket Lab and Synspective top executives and Dutch Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said the contract will contribute to the growing Japanese space industry through the collaboration of a U.S. rocket and a New Zealand launch site. According to the executive, the deal is the company’s largest launch agreement to date.