Rocket Lab Launches Radar Satellite for Synspective

Rocket Lab successfully launched an Electron rocket from its New Zealand facility today at 12:30 p.m. EDT on the “Owl New World” mission, carrying a radar-imaging satellite for the Japanese Earth-observation company Synspective. The launch can be viewed live via Rocket Lab’s webcast, with Space.com planning to simulcast if the stream becomes available.

The mission’s payload, named after the owl genus “Strix,” marks the first of a new generation of satellites designed for Synspective’s low Earth orbit constellation. This network aims to deliver high-frequency, high-resolution Earth observation data to aid in disaster response, national security, and environmental monitoring.

If all proceeds as planned, the Electron rocket will deploy the Strix satellite approximately 362 miles (583 kilometers) above Earth just over 50 minutes after lift-off. Up to now, six Strix satellites have been launched on six separate Electron missions, with plans to deploy an additional 20 satellites to complete the constellation.

A rocket launching into a cloudy blue sky — A Rocket Lab Electron booster carrying 13 NASA satellites lifts off from New Zealand in December 2018. (Image credit: Rocket Lab)

This launch marks Rocket Lab’s 15th mission of 2025 and its 73rd overall.