Electron | The Mountain God Guards (iQPS Launch 3)
Electron •
📝 Mission Description
Electron Rocket Set to Launch iQPS's "The Mountain God Guards" Satellite
On June 11, 2025, Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is scheduled to lift off from its launch site in New Zealand, carrying the mission dubbed "The Mountain God Guards" (iQPS Launch 3). This flight marks the third dedicated launch for the Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS, deploying a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite designed to enhance global Earth observation capabilities. As space activities intensify, this mission underscores the growing role of small satellites in commercial and scientific endeavors.
At the heart of the mission is the payload: a compact SAR satellite weighing approximately 100 kilograms. SAR technology allows the satellite to capture high-resolution images of Earth's surface regardless of weather conditions or time of day, penetrating clouds and darkness through microwave signals. For iQPS, this satellite builds on its constellation aimed at providing real-time data for applications like disaster monitoring, urban planning, agriculture, and maritime surveillance. The satellite's capabilities include sub-meter resolution imaging, enabling detailed analysis of infrastructure changes, environmental shifts, and even illegal activities such as deforestation or fishing violations. By integrating with iQPS's existing QPS-SAR satellites, it promises to reduce revisit times to under 10 minutes in key areas, a significant leap for rapid-response Earth observation. This mission's objectives align with Japan's push for resilient space-based infrastructure, particularly in a region prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons.
The Electron rocket, developed by Rocket Lab, represents a pinnacle of small-lift launch technology. Standing 18 meters tall with a diameter of 1.2 meters, it features a two-stage design powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene. The first stage employs nine Rutherford engines, each 3D-printed for efficiency, delivering 192 kN of thrust at sea level. The second stage uses a single Rutherford engine optimized for vacuum, with a Curie kick stage for precise orbital insertion. Electron's payload capacity reaches 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO), making it ideal for rideshare and dedicated smallsat missions. Its innovative electric pump-fed engines reduce complexity and cost, allowing for rapid production—Rocket Lab claims it can manufacture a vehicle in weeks. Technical specs include a reusable first stage in development, though this flight will likely use an expendable configuration, highlighting ongoing efforts to lower launch costs through recovery techniques like mid-air helicopter catches.
Electron's performance history is a testament to iterative success amid challenges. Since its debut in
ℹ️ Official Details
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The Electron mission, The Mountain God Guards (iQPS Launch 3), launched on June 11, 2025, achieved a successful orbital insertion and payload deployment. The rocket's technical performance was exemplary, with all stages functioning as intended, ensuring precise delivery of the synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for iQPS, a Japanese Earth imaging company. The payload was deployed into its target orbit without anomalies, marking a significant achievement for high-resolution imaging capabilities. Key engineering outcomes include validation of Electron’s reliability for small satellite launches and confirmation of robust mission planning under dynamic conditions. This success reinforces confidence in Electron’s design for future missions, particularly for commercial Earth observation payloads. It also strengthens iQPS’s operational capacity and paves the way for expanded partnerships in the Earth imaging sector, highlighting Electron’s role as a dependable launch vehicle for precision satellite deployments.