Rocket Lab Signed 20-Mission Launch Agreement
The deal secures launch capacity for 20 synthetic aperture radar satellites through 2031.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Space
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Rocket Lab has finalized a multiyear agreement to launch 20 additional StriX satellites for Tokyo-based Synspective using its Electron launch vehicle. This contract expansion brings the total number of Electron missions designated for Synspective to 47.
Why it matters
The deal provides Synspective with long-term launch certainty as it builds a global synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation. It reflects the increasing demand for high-cadence launch services as companies scale their orbital infrastructure.
The 20 scheduled launches will deploy StriX synthetic aperture radar satellites to a sun-synchronous orbit. The Electron launch vehicle is an all-composite rocket designed for frequent small-satellite delivery.
The players
Rocket Lab
A aerospace firm based in Long Beach, California, that provides orbital launch services using its Electron launch vehicle.
Synspective
A Tokyo-based space technology company focused on building a synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation for global imaging.
The details
Rocket Lab uses the Electron, an all-composite rocket capable of reaching orbit using electric pump-fed engines. The satellites use synthetic aperture radar, a technique that transmits radio waves toward the ground to produce high-resolution imagery regardless of lighting conditions or cloud cover. Launches will be executed from the company's Launch Complex 1 site.
Timeline
2028-2031: Scheduled annual execution of the 20 satellite missions.
The Tech Race
This deal underscores the shift toward long-term launch reservation strategies among constellation operators. With 47 total missions now dedicated to Synspective and over 100 total missions in its backlog, Rocket Lab is positioning itself as a primary provider for commercial orbital deployment.
The expansion of Synspective's satellite fleet aims to provide more frequent and comprehensive global imaging data. Users in sectors like disaster response and urban planning can expect increased resolution and revisit rates as the constellation launches annually between 2028 and 2031.
The takeaway
This agreement ensures that Synspective has a stable path to building its constellation through 2031. Industry observers should track the progress of these annual launches starting in 2028 to see how orbital capacity keeps pace with expanding imaging requirements.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in orbital deployment, visit the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Compositesworld.
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