Ibadan, 1 October 2026. – Japanese Earth observation company Synspective has signed an agreement with Rocket Lab for 20 dedicated Electron launches between 2028 and 2031, securing launch capacity for the expansion of its StriX synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation. The deal represents Rocket Lab’s largest commercial Electron launch agreement to date and brings the total number of Electron missions contracted for Synspective to 47.
StriX constellation to expand through 2031
The 20 missions will each carry a Synspective StriX satellite to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The satellites use synthetic aperture radar to collect high-resolution imagery regardless of cloud cover or lighting conditions, supporting applications including infrastructure monitoring, disaster response and urban development. The new launches will subsequently support Synspective’s plans to expand its SAR constellation and increase its ability to provide frequent Earth observation coverage.
Furthermore, the new agreement builds on a launch relationship that dates back to 2020, with Rocket Lab having already deployed 13 StriX satellites for Synspective. The latest of those missions, dubbed Owlright Owlright Owlright, launched on 26 September. The 20 new launches will bring the companies’ total contracted Electron missions to 47, of which 34 remain to be flown, making Synspective the customer with the most Electron missions contracted with Rocket Lab.
“Electron’s precision and reliability have played a central role in steadily scaling our StriX constellation. Through this process, our partnership has grown into something built not only on technical progress but on a deep, team-level trust between us,” said Dr. Motoyuki Arai, Synspective founder and CEO. “Securing another 20 dedicated launches now gives us long-term certainty for our constellation expansion – a powerful booster toward building the infrastructure needed for a resilient future. We look forward to continuing this journey together.”
The agreement consequently provides Synspective with dedicated launch opportunities as it scales its satellite network over the next several years, providing greater certainty over launch capacity for its planned constellation expansion. The 20 additional StriX satellites are scheduled for launch between 2028 and 2031, allowing Synspective to continue expanding its radar coverage through a planned series of dedicated missions.
Rocket Lab adds to launch backlog
For Rocket Lab, the agreement strengthens Electron’s role as a launch vehicle for long-term constellation deployment. The company’s launch backlog has now surpassed 100 missions following a series of multi-launch contracts this year, giving Electron, and Rocket Lab’s Neutron, a growing pipeline of repeat commercial customers. The Synspective deal adds further visibility to Rocket Lab’s launch business while extending a customer relationship that has already supported 13 StriX deployments.
“When constellation builders want control over their destiny, they come to Rocket Lab,” added Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO. “Synspective was one of Electron’s earliest customers and together we have proven that tailored, dedicated launch is the fastest and most reliable path to scaling small satellite constellations. Signing twenty launches in a single deal is a massive vote of confidence not just in Electron, but in the launch cadence, mission reliability, and orbital precision that Rocket Lab consistently delivers.”
The deal comes as Rocket Lab continues to build a commercial launch manifest that stretches well beyond individual missions, with repeat customers increasingly forming the foundation of Electron’s future flight schedule.
