Rocket Lab is set to launch a Japanese Earth-observing satellite tonight, September 18, at 11:15 p.m. EDT (03:15 GMT) from its New Zealand site. The launch will feature an Electron rocket carrying the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) spacecraft for Synspective, a Tokyo-based company. You can watch the live stream approximately 30 minutes before the launch on Rocket Lab’s website or on Space.com if available.
The SAR satellite will be part of Synspective’s Strix constellation, designed for urban development, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response in Japan. Tonight’s mission marks the 12th launch for this network, with more planned in the future. If successful, the satellite will reach low Earth orbit approximately 53 minutes post-launch.
Rocket Lab often names its Synspective missions with owl-themed titles; tonight’s mission is called “Owl by the Dozen.” This will be Rocket Lab’s 17th launch of 2026 and its 96th launch overall. The Electron rocket is specifically designed for small satellite missions, and Rocket Lab is also developing a larger, partially reusable rocket named Neutron.
