Rocket Lab launched a Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite to orbit on Sept. 18, sending up the 12th spacecraft in Synspective's StriX synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation, according to Space.com. An Electron rocket carrying the satellite for the Tokyo-based company lifted off from Rocket Lab's New Zealand site at 11:22 p.m. EDT (3:22 p.m. local time on Sept. 19).
SAR satellites can study Earth both night and day and see through cloudy skies. Synspective is building its Strix constellation, named after a genus of owls, in low Earth orbit; Rocket Lab said the network "provides data for urban development planning, construction and infrastructure monitoring and disaster response" in Japan.
Electron delivered the satellite to a 355-mile (572-kilometer) orbit about 53 minutes after liftoff, as planned. The mission, nicknamed "Owl by the Dozen," was Rocket Lab's 96th Electron launch overall and its 17th of 2026.
Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for the Strix constellation to date, having now flown 12 of the dedicated missions, with another 15 already manifested for the future.