MAHIA, New Zealand, Aug. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its Electron rocket to deploy the latest Earth-imaging satellite to space for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS).
‘The Lightning God Defends’ mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 1:04 a.m. NZST on August 21, 2026, and deployed the next QPS-SAR satellite in iQPS’ synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging constellation to a 575km low Earth orbit.
Mission Highlights:
- Milestone Flight: This mission marked Rocket Lab’s 93rd overall Electron launch and 14th launch of the year.
- iQPS Partnership: This was the ninth deployment of a QPS-SAR satellite with 100% mission success, reinforcing Electron’s position as the primary launch vehicle for the iQPS constellation.
- More Missions: With today’s mission complete, nine dedicated launches remain booked on Electron by iQPS to deliver their constellation to space by 2030.
‘The Lightning God Defends’ launch images: Flight 93 | The Lightning God Defends | Flickr
‘The Lightning God Defends’ launch broadcast: Rocket Lab - 'The Lightning God Defends' Launch - YouTube
Rocket Lab Media Contact
Murielle Baker
[email protected]
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) is an end-to-end space company delivering rockets, satellites, and spacecraft components for commercial, government, and defense missions. Driven by its industry-leading small-lift rockets Electron and HASTE and its upcoming reusable Neutron medium-lift rocket, Rocket Lab delivers reliable and responsive launch for the world’s most important missions from constellation deployment to missile defense. Rocket Lab’s satellites and components have powered more than 1,700 missions in Earth orbit, as well as deep-space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at https://investors.rocketlabcorp.com which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.