Rocket Lab announced mission success for its 100th Electron rocket launch on November 14, 2026, claiming a record for reaching 100 launches faster than any other commercially developed rocket. The mission deployed the YAMATSUMI-II satellite into low Earth orbit from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.
Mission details
The mission, named "The Mountain God Rises," launched at 6:30 p.m. on November 14, 2026. It deployed the YAMATSUMI-II synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth-imaging satellite to a 575km low Earth orbit for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS).
The flight marked Rocket Lab's 11th Electron launch for iQPS, maintaining a 100% mission success rate for the customer since 2023. iQPS has booked seven additional dedicated Electron launches through 2030 to complete its satellite constellation.
Operations and future outlook
First launched in 2017, Electron has deployed hundreds of satellites for commercial constellation operators, national security agencies, and scientific institutions from launch sites in New Zealand and Virginia.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck stated that the next 100 Electron launches are already booked. The company noted that Electron's operational framework is also serving to lay the foundation for its upcoming medium-lift rocket, Neutron.
Key facts and where they come from
- Rocket Lab completed its 100th Electron launch on November 14, 2026.
today announced mission success for its 100th Electron launch
- The payload was deployed into a 575km low Earth orbit.
deploying the YAMATSUMI-II synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth-imaging satellite to a 575km low Earth orbit
- iQPS has booked seven more dedicated launches through 2030.
iQPS has booked seven more dedicated Electron launches through 2030 to complete its satellite constellation.
- Rocket Lab reported that its next 100 Electron missions are already booked.
The next 100 Electrons are already booked so we’re only accelerating from here.
