Electron Nears 100th Flight With 13th Synspective Satellite Delivery

Rocket Lab launched its 97th Electron mission on September 26, delivering the 13th StriX satellite for Earth-monitoring operator Synspective directly into a 559 kilometer low Earth orbit. The flight sustains Electron's position as the world's most frequently launched small-lift orbital rocket and brings the vehicle within a few missions of its 100th flight.

The mission, named "Owlright Owlright Owlright," lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, at 12:39 p.m. NZST. The launch continued a multi-year partnership under which Electron has deployed all 13 StriX satellites to orbit for Synspective with 100 percent mission success. The satellite expands Synspective's synthetic aperture radar constellation, which provides high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of the Earth's surface.

The flight was Rocket Lab's 18th launch of 2026. The company said the cadence demonstrates the reliability and repeatability required to build out small satellite constellations with precision. Following this mission, another 14 launches remain on schedule to deliver the rest of Synspective's constellation by the end of the decade.

Rocket Lab describes itself as an end-to-end space company delivering rockets, satellites, and spacecraft components for commercial, government, and defense missions. Its satellites and components have powered more than 1,700 missions in Earth orbit, along with deep-space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The company's launch fleet includes the small-lift Electron and HASTE vehicles and the upcoming reusable Neutron medium-lift rocket.

The successful direct injection of the StriX satellite into a 559 kilometer orbit marks continued progress on Synspective's SAR constellation and underscores the consistency of the Electron program as it approaches its milestone 100th flight.

The next steps are the remaining 14 launches scheduled to complete Synspective's constellation by the end of the decade, and Electron's approaching 100th mission, now just a few flights away.