This is the next mission for Rocketlab.https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/completed-missions/the-moon-god-awakes/Rocket Lab will launch a dedicated Electron mission for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company. iQPS was originally manifested on another launch vehicle, but iQPS has now selected Rocket Lab ...
<About the small SAR satellite "QPS-SAR">QPS Research Institute has developed a large deployable antenna (patented) with high storability and a light weight of 10 kg. This antenna enabled us to emit strong radio waves, and we succeeded in developing the 100 kg high-definition small SAR satellite "QPS-SAR", which has 1/20 the mass and 1/100 the cost of conventional SAR satellites. Currently, QPS-SAR No.1 "Izanagi", No.2 "Izanami" and No.6 "Amateru-III" are in operation.After the 3rd model for constructing the constellation, improvements were made to acquire even higher precision and higher quality images. By adding a deployable solar panel and battery to increase the amount of power that can be used and improving the mirror surface accuracy of the antenna, it will be possible to emit stronger radio waves. By installing an "orbital imager" jointly developed by JAXA and Alwet Technology Co., Ltd., SAR observation data is processed in the satellite in orbit, and the amount of downlink from the satellite is greatly reduced. It has become possible, and it has become possible to respond to observation needs with high responsiveness. It also has thrusters for orbit control. Although Units 3 and 4 were launched in October 2022, they were not put into orbit due to rocket failure. On July 13th, we announced the acquisition of the first image, and on July 25th, we succeeded in acquiring an image with a resolution of 46 cm, which is the highest in Japan with a private SAR satellite.《About QPS-SAR5's nickname and mission mark》QPS-SAR Units 1 and 2 were named "Izanagi" and "Izanami", followed by Units 3 and 4, which were scheduled to enter a sun-synchronous orbit, and were launched into a sun-synchronous orbit in June 20236. The machine is also named "Amateru" (English: AMATERU), which is another name for Amaterasu Omikami, borrowing the name of the god of Kojiki. In the QPS-SAR project, nicknames are given to each orbit, not to each satellite. Since Unit 5 is scheduled to enter a new orbit with a medium inclination, it was named "Tsukuyomi (English: TSUKUYOMI)" and named "Tsukuyomi-I (Tsukuyomi One)".
Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 09/04/2023 07:00 amThis is the next mission for Rocketlab.https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/completed-missions/the-moon-god-awakes/Rocket Lab will launch a dedicated Electron mission for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company. iQPS was originally manifested on another launch vehicle, but iQPS has now selected Rocket Lab ...Originally manifested on Virgin Orbit, per machine translation of https://i-qps.net/news/1307/Some more info on the satellite itself, same source:Quote<About the small SAR satellite "QPS-SAR">QPS Research Institute has developed a large deployable antenna (patented) with high storability and a light weight of 10 kg. This antenna enabled us to emit strong radio waves, and we succeeded in developing the 100 kg high-definition small SAR satellite "QPS-SAR", which has 1/20 the mass and 1/100 the cost of conventional SAR satellites. Currently, QPS-SAR No.1 "Izanagi", No.2 "Izanami" and No.6 "Amateru-III" are in operation.After the 3rd model for constructing the constellation, improvements were made to acquire even higher precision and higher quality images. By adding a deployable solar panel and battery to increase the amount of power that can be used and improving the mirror surface accuracy of the antenna, it will be possible to emit stronger radio waves. By installing an "orbital imager" jointly developed by JAXA and Alwet Technology Co., Ltd., SAR observation data is processed in the satellite in orbit, and the amount of downlink from the satellite is greatly reduced. It has become possible, and it has become possible to respond to observation needs with high responsiveness. It also has thrusters for orbit control. Although Units 3 and 4 were launched in October 2022, they were not put into orbit due to rocket failure. On July 13th, we announced the acquisition of the first image, and on July 25th, we succeeded in acquiring an image with a resolution of 46 cm, which is the highest in Japan with a private SAR satellite.《About QPS-SAR5's nickname and mission mark》QPS-SAR Units 1 and 2 were named "Izanagi" and "Izanami", followed by Units 3 and 4, which were scheduled to enter a sun-synchronous orbit, and were launched into a sun-synchronous orbit in June 20236. The machine is also named "Amateru" (English: AMATERU), which is another name for Amaterasu Omikami, borrowing the name of the god of Kojiki. In the QPS-SAR project, nicknames are given to each orbit, not to each satellite. Since Unit 5 is scheduled to enter a new orbit with a medium inclination, it was named "Tsukuyomi (English: TSUKUYOMI)" and named "Tsukuyomi-I (Tsukuyomi One)".
Quote from: SpaceLoverHereWhat happened to the mission for Japanese?Coming up after Capella!
What happened to the mission for Japanese?
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1703506709673861175Quote We've got two Electrons ready to go at LC-1 for back-to-back missions with @capellaspace and @QPS_Inc! With wet dress rehearsal complete and clear weather ahead, the countdown is on to tomorrow's mission for Capella."We Will Never Desert You" launch details:🚀NET 18:30 NZT🛰️ Acadia 2🌎 635km LEO
We've got two Electrons ready to go at LC-1 for back-to-back missions with @capellaspace and @QPS_Inc! With wet dress rehearsal complete and clear weather ahead, the countdown is on to tomorrow's mission for Capella."We Will Never Desert You" launch details:🚀NET 18:30 NZT🛰️ Acadia 2🌎 635km LEO
QuoteRocket Lab Launch UpdateSeptember 19, 2023[...]Our next mission, currently scheduled before the end of the third quarter, will be postponed while we implement corrective actions. We anticipate providing revised third quarter revenue guidance in the coming days.
Rocket Lab Launch UpdateSeptember 19, 2023[...]Our next mission, currently scheduled before the end of the third quarter, will be postponed while we implement corrective actions. We anticipate providing revised third quarter revenue guidance in the coming days.
QuoteRocket Lab Sets Next Electron Launch Window, Provides Update on Anomaly ReviewNovember 8, 2023Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has set a return to launch window for its Electron launch vehicle.Rocket Lab will return to the pad at Launch Complex 1 with a dedicated Electron mission for Japan-based Earth imaging company iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.) during a launch window which opens on November 28th, 2023 and extends into December.[...]
Rocket Lab Sets Next Electron Launch Window, Provides Update on Anomaly ReviewNovember 8, 2023Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has set a return to launch window for its Electron launch vehicle.Rocket Lab will return to the pad at Launch Complex 1 with a dedicated Electron mission for Japan-based Earth imaging company iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.) during a launch window which opens on November 28th, 2023 and extends into December.[...]
With the TSUKUYOMI-I spacecraft for @QPS_Inc now integrated with Electron's Kick Stage, the countdown to launch is on. 🚀 Launch window opens Nov 28 UTC and extends into December. #TheMoonGodAwakens
QPS-SAR-5 is a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite that will join a constellation after QPS-SAR-6 already in orbit. iQPS’s satellites are small, high-performance SAR satellites that use a lightweight, large, stowable antenna to collect high resolution images of Earth, even through clouds and adverse weather conditions. Ultimately, the iQPS constellation is planned to have 36 satellites capable of monitoring specific fixed points on Earth every 10 minutes.
Mission Kit is now available - states that LC-1B will be used for this launch.
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 11/22/2023 08:05 amMission Kit is now available - states that LC-1B will be used for this launch.The last LC-1A launch was July 13th 2022. I'm assuming they took it offline for upgrades and maintenance,
Payload integration is complete for our 42nd Electron launch! We’ve got a final step to clear before launch day – completing a wet dress rehearsal to confirm all systems are ready for lift-off. As such, we’re currently targeting no earlier than 13 Dec NZT for the launch of The Moon God Awakens, a dedicated mission for @QPS_Inc
