Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Japanese Satellite, Breaking Annual Launch Record

The launch marks a comeback for Rocket Lab after a mission failure in September, with the satellite set to join a 36-satellite constellation monitoring Earth.

Rocket Lab successfully launched a Japanese satellite, the QPS-SAR-5, or Tsukuyomi-1, into orbit from its New Zealand complex, marking its first successful launch since a mission failure in September.
The satellite will be part of a 36-satellite constellation designed to monitor fixed points on Earth every 10 minutes.
This launch marks the 10th Electron rocket flight for Rocket Lab this year, surpassing the company's previous record of nine set in 2022.
The mission, named 'The Moon God Awakens', was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to strong winds.
Rocket Lab has said it would attempt to recover the Electron boosters as part of its bid to reuse rockets.