Rocket Lab - Electron - Viva La StriX - LC 1 - Mähia, NZ - Space Affairs Live

Launch Date: May 22, 2026 Launch Time: 21:30 NZDT, 2:30 a.m. PDT, 5:30 a.m. EDT, 0930 UTC, 11:30 CEST Launch window: 2 hours Launch Status: Scheduled and announced Launch Provider: Rocket Lab, USA Launcher System: Electron Rocket Mission: Viva La StriX Contractor: Synspective, Japan Payload: StriX Earth observation satellite Launch Location: Launch Complex-1 - Mähia Peninsula, New Zealand Launch trajectory: South Price: $7,5 million (Standard mission to LEO) Rocket Height: 18 m Payload to Orbit: LEO 320 kg Lift-Off Thrust: 224 kilonewtons Fairing: Diameter 1,2 m / Height 4,05 m Stages: 3 "Viva La StriX" is a dedicated Electron launch with a single StriX Earth observation satellite for Synspective, a Japan-based commercial constellation operator. The mission will be the ninth Synspective launch on Electron to build out the company's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging constellation over Japan that provides data for urban development planning, construction and infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for Synspective's constellation since 2020, with another 18 missions booked to deliver the rest of their constellation to orbit before 2030. The launch marks Rocket Lab's 88th mission overall, the 9th mission in 2026.