Rocket Lab said on September 30, 2026 that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Tokyo-based Earth observation company Synspective for 20 new Electron missions, which the company described as its largest commercial launch contract for the rocket to date.
What was announced
Rocket Lab Corporation, listed on the Nasdaq as RKLB, said the deal covers 20 additional Electron launches for Synspective and brings the total number of Electron missions booked by the customer to 47 — more than any other Rocket Lab launch customer.
The company said the remaining terms of the deal are undisclosed.
Mission details
According to Rocket Lab, it will launch 20 StriX synthetic aperture radar satellites to sun-synchronous orbit from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.
The missions are scheduled to take place annually from 2028 through 2031. Rocket Lab said the flights will accelerate Synspective's goal of building a satellite constellation capable of imaging any location on Earth within hours, day or night, and through any weather conditions.
What the companies say
Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Sir Peter Beck said: "When constellation builders want control over their destiny, they come to Rocket Lab. Synspective was one of Electron's earliest customers and together we have proven that tailored, dedicated launch is the fastest and most reliable path to scaling small satellite constellations."
Synspective founder and chief executive Dr. Motoyuki Arai said securing another 20 dedicated launches "now gives us long-term certainty for our constellation expansion – a powerful booster toward building the infrastructure needed for a resilient future."
Rocket Lab said the agreement is the latest in a series of multi-launch contracts awarded to the company this year, pushing its launch backlog beyond 100 missions. The company also said global launch capacity is bottlenecked and that constellation operators face pressure on tight deployment and replenishment timelines — characterizations made by Rocket Lab in its own announcement.
Company background as described by Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab describes itself as an end-to-end space company delivering rockets, satellites and spacecraft components for commercial, government and defense missions, citing its small-lift rockets Electron and HASTE and its upcoming reusable Neutron medium-lift rocket.
The company said its satellites and components have powered more than 1,700 missions in Earth orbit as well as deep-space exploration. The release also carries a forward-looking statements notice warning that statements about launch schedules, Neutron development, backlog and expected revenue involve risks and uncertainties.
Key facts and where they come from
- Rocket Lab signed a multi-year agreement for 20 new Electron missions with Synspective.
it has signed a multi-year launch agreement for 20 new Electron missions with Tokyo-based Earth observation company Synspective
- The contract brings Synspective's total Electron bookings to 47 missions.
brings the total number of Electron missions for Synspective to 47 – the most of any Rocket Lab launch customer
- The 20 StriX SAR satellites will go to sun-synchronous orbit from Launch Complex 1.
Rocket Lab will launch 20 StriX synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.
- The missions are scheduled annually from 2028 through 2031.
The missions are scheduled to take place annually from 2028 through 2031
- Rocket Lab says its launch backlog now exceeds 100 missions.
pushing the Company’s launch backlog beyond 100 missions
- Financial terms were not disclosed.
The remaining terms of the deal are undisclosed.