Electron : RAISE-4 : LC-1B : 14 December 2025 (03:09 UTC)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

So JAXA now has contracts with Rocket Lab for launching payloads on Electron (actually 2 launches, see below), due to continuous teething problems with their own Epsilon rocket - firstly the October 2022 launch failure with RAISE-3 and then 2 consecutive test firing explosions with the new 2nd stage motor of the upcoming Epsilon-S variant.

JAXA just announced they decided they will not wait further for Epsilon for their next on-orbit public-solicitation technological demonstration payloads hoisting satellite RAISE-4 (RApid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite-4), and will send it to launch on an Electron rocket from New Zealand NET November 25 this year. 6 out of 8 payloads on RAISE-4 are re-flights of ones originally planned on RAISE-3.

There are also 8 cubesats from various Japanese academic institutions/companies planned to launch with RAISE-4 (4 of which are re-flights from the RAISE-3 launch), and these will now also fly with Rocket Lab on a subsequent Electron launch from NZ in Q1 2026.

RAISE-4 will be transported to NZ on October 14.

Originally the Epsilon-S launch would have also hoisted a satellite for QPS Inc.; though QPS has been flying on Electron lately already on separate contracts.

Source: JAXA RAISE-4 press conference today



Edit: Official JAXA Press Release

[PM3]

Rocket Lab says it will launch in December:

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1976619207862432153

We’ve signed a direct contract with @JAXA_en
 for two dedicated launches on Electron!

The missions will deploy satellites for JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program: the RAISE-4 spacecraft on the first launch, and a JAXA-manifested rideshare of eight spacecraft on the second.

The first JAXA mission is scheduled to take place in December. Launch timing and further information to come.

ℹ️: http://bit.ly/48Vw6qD

Launching from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, the two Electron missions will deploy satellites for JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. The first launch, scheduled from December 2025, will deploy the agency’s RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-4 (RAISE-4) spacecraft, a single satellite that will demonstrate eight technologies developed by private companies, universities, and research institutions throughout Japan. 

https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rocket-lab-secures-multiple-launches-with-japan-aerospace-exploration-agency-jaxa/

[Asteroza]

Rumor says the CotS GPU demo flying on Epsilon S was on the critical path for a Ministry of Defense sat so to hold down program costs this was the exit strategy.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1993070286548418678

RAISE And Shine! Our next Electron launch will be a dedicated mission for @JAXA_en from Launch Complex 1 to a 540km LEO.

The launch will deploy JAXA'S RAISE-4 mission that includes a single satellite with 8x tech demonstrations by companies, universities, and research institutions throughout Japan.

"RAISE And Shine" will launch NET December 5th.

ℹ️Mission info: https://rocketlabcorp.com/missions/next-mission/

Mission kit as attached:

[StraumliBlight]

Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration No. 4

Altitude: 540 km
Inclination: 97.5 °
Mass: ~110 kg

Press Kit

[StraumliBlight]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1995241134512279700

We’ve completed payload integration and encapsulation at LC-1 with @JAXA_en for our 77th Electron launch.

Next up: Wet Dress Rehearsal for the “RAISE and Shine" mission before the launch window opens on December 5 UTC.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1995711990535520570

Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
·
1m
Due to unfavorable weather over Launch Complex 1 this week, we’re now targeting no earlier than Sunday December 7 NZDT for the launch of “RAISE And Shine” for
@jaxa_en
.

The launch window opens NET:
🚀UTC 03:00, Dec 7
🚀NZDT 4:00pm, Dec 7
🚀JST 12:00pm, Dec 7
🚀PT 7:00pm, Dec 6
🚀ET 10:00pm, Dec 6

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Delayed to December 9 UTC:

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1997109720621146622

Launch update: We are now targeting no earlier than Tuesday Dec 9 NZDT for the launch of “RAISE and Shine” for
@jaxa_en
 

🚀UTC 03:00, Dec 9
🚀NZDT 4:00pm, Dec 9
🚀JST 12:00pm, Dec 9
🚀PT 7:00pm, Dec 8
🚀ET 10:00pm, Dec 8

[StraumliBlight]

JAXA: Launch of Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration No. 4 [Dec 6]

The Small Demonstration Satellite-4 (RAISE-4), carrying the eight demonstration themes of the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-4, was scheduled to be launched on Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand at 12:00 PM on December 7, 2025 (24-hour Japan time). However, Rocket Lab has informed us that they have rescheduled the launch date and time as detailed below to allow time for additional verification work.

Launch date and time: December 9th, 2025 (Tuesday) 12:00 (Japan time)

JAXA: Reconfiguration (Part 3) [Dec 8]

Video collection: Future technologies pioneered by "Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration No. 4" (8 videos)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1997884223873843260

“RAISE And Shine” has now been scheduled for NET Dec 12 to allow time for additional checkouts.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1998551501636284469

‘Bridging The Swarm’ will launch ahead of our earlier mission for @jaxa_en that has been rescheduled to NET Saturday Dec 13 NZDT. That’s two back-to-back missions from LC-1 and responsive launch in action.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

JAXA says the launch has been further delayed due to launch site weather at Mahia (though they refer the original launch time as December 12th, not the 13th as the latest date), with new date TBD.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1999241193318940702

Launch update: With strong ground winds over LC-1 expected tomorrow, we are now targeting no earlier than Sunday December 14 NZDT for the launch of “RAISE And Shine” for @jaxa_en


Launch window opens:
🚀UTC 03:00, Dec 14
🚀NZDT 4:00pm, Dec 14
🚀JST 12:00pm, Dec 14
🚀PT 7:00pm, Dec 13
🚀ET 10:00pm, Dec 13

[catdlr]

Quote
Launch update: With strong ground winds over LC-1 expected tomorrow, we are now targeting no earlier than Sunday December 14 NZDT for the launch of “RAISE And Shine” for @jaxa_en


Launch window opens:

🚀PT 7:00pm, Dec 13

Right at dinner time.  Oh well.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

JAXA live stream:

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1999950741461754238

"RAISE And Shine" and welcome to launch day. Our 77th Electron mission is scheduled for liftoff for @JAXA_en today in T-6 hours.
︀︀
︀︀Liftoff is set for
︀︀🚀 4:09 pm NZDT
︀︀🚀 12:09 pm JST
︀︀🚀 03:09 UTC
︀︀🚀 10:09 pm ET
︀︀🚀 7:09 pm PT

[catdlr]

I'll be ready to cover this since Starlink has been moved to later in the evening.

[zubenelgenubi]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1999975368703492536

Electron is vertical on the pad at LC-1 for @JAXE_en. Today's mission will be our 77th mission overall and 19th Electron launch this year.

Liftoff is set for
🚀 4:09 pm NZDT
🚀 12:09 pm JST
🚀 03:09 UTC
🚀 10:09 pm ET
🚀 7:09 pm PT

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1999998997847765093

Rocket Lab
@RocketLab

It's looking like a fine day to launch a rocket. Just under three hours to launch for
@jaxa_en
, with the early weather forecast 90% favorable for launch at 4:09 p.m. NZDT / 03:09 UTC.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/2000027854294409418

Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
·
10m
Under an hour to launch. LOX loading underway and we're almost ready for Electron to deploy the "RAISE And Shine" mission for
@JAXA_en
. The launch broadcast begins at approx. T-20 mins https://youtube.com/watch?v=cMP328yoUu4

Liftoff is set for
🚀 4:09 pm NZDT
🚀 12:09 pm JST
🚀 03:09 UTC
🚀 10:09 pm ET
🚀 7:09 pm PT

[catdlr]

RL has started its broadcast.

[catdlr]

OK!! Let's get started.

[catdlr]

Range is green, tracking no issues, weather is great

T-16 min

[catdlr]

Even the sheep are ready

[catdlr]

Payload

[catdlr]

Go/No-Go poll starts at T-12 min

[catdlr]

T-11 min we are go for terminal count sequence

[catdlr]

The dispenser is the primary payload, and then after deployment, the dispenser will deploy these satellites or experiments.

[catdlr]

T-6 min All is well

[catdlr]

T-4 min

Pad is ready for Launch

[catdlr]

T-3min

Auto sequnece is Lock

[catdlr]

T-2 min

Auto Sequence has started - Go for launch

[catdlr]

T-1 min

[catdlr]

Launch

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/2000040620031922291

[catdlr]

Max-Q and climb out

[catdlr]

MECO and Stage Separation

https://twitter.com/_MaxQ_/status/2000042629464019065

Max Evans
@_MaxQ_
A daytime launch of Electron is always a treat & these onboards during stage sep tickle so many parts of the brain.

The audible spool up of Rutherford on stage 2 and the gorgeous scenery of Mahia in the background 😍 perfection.

Not to mention what looked to be a live telescope track as well!

[catdlr]

Fairing Jettision

[catdlr]

Battery Hot-Swap

[catdlr]

SECO
Nominal Transfer Orbit confirmed
Stage (Kickstage) separation confirmed

[catdlr]

Back in 40 min for payload deployment

[catdlr]

For those that came late, and need a short recap:

[catdlr]

T+32 min on the way up the southern Atlantic just off the Southern West coast of Africa. Deployment will occur off Spain when in communication with ground stations.

[catdlr]

About 10 min till deployment, just coming up on the equator. 

[catdlr]

T+45 min deployment communication zone coming up

[catdlr]

T+15 min

[catdlr]

crew back for coverage of orbit raising and deployment

Engines have already started and will take 2 minutes to circularize the orbit.

Awaiting confirmation from mission control.

[catdlr]

Orbit raising and deployment completed and confirmed.

Missions have been completed for RL.

JAXA will do the commissioning.

[catdlr]

Rocket Lab signing off.  Two more Electron launches are planned for December.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/2000054787501654511

Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck

100% mission success.

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/2000055016187732338

Rocket Lab
@RocketLab

MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment confirmed for Electron's 77th launch, releasing @JAXA_en's  RAISE-4 satellite to a 540km LEO 🛰️🚀

[catdlr]

That does it for me.  On to Starlink in 90 minutes.   

[zubenelgenubi]

Thank you, Tony!

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/2000073517870788625

Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck

Nice new camera angle from today’s launch.

[gabrielef71]

An infographic about the Electron launch. More details are available here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSPLSHhgmmw/