Press Releases April 8, 2026 08:00 PM

iQPS Books Three New Launches on Electron, Extending Multi-Year Partnership with Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab secures three additional Electron rocket launches with iQPS, reinforcing multi-year satellite deployment partnership

By Jordan Park RKLB
iQPS Books Three New Launches on Electron, Extending Multi-Year Partnership with Rocket Lab
RKLB

Rocket Lab Corporation has signed a contract to provide three new dedicated Electron rocket launches for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS), increasing their total Electron missions for iQPS to 15. This extension of their partnership highlights continued strong demand for Rocket Lab's launch services to deploy small satellite constellations efficiently from its New Zealand launch site through 2028 and beyond.

Key Points

  • iQPS has contracted three more Electron launch missions from Rocket Lab, scheduled from 2028 onwards, increasing the total to 15.
  • Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has maintained a 100% success rate for iQPS launches since 2023, supporting reliable satellite constellation deployments.
  • Rocket Lab uses its own in-house launch and spacecraft technology, reducing scheduling risks and enhancing mission reliability for customers like iQPS.
  • The expansion affects the aerospace and satellite sectors, particularly small satellite constellation deployments, commercial space launch services, and Earth-imaging applications.

LONG BEACH, Calif., April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has signed another multi-launch deal with Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc (“iQPS”) in a deal that further strengthens the partnership with Rocket Lab as iQPS’ primary launch provider.

Three new dedicated Electron launches are contracted to lift-off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand from 2028, bringing the total number of Electron missions for iQPS to 15. Seven launches have already taken place since 2023 with 100% mission success, demonstrating Electron’s leading role in deploying small satellite constellations with precision and regularity for the global market.

This latest agreement is the second order of multiple launches by iQPS to be announced within six months and emphasizes the strong market demand for Rocket Lab’s dedicated launch services. Each launch for iQPS will also deploy the company’s QPS-SAR satellites from a Rocket Lab Motorized Lightband satellite separation system. By leveraging its own in-house production of launch and space systems, Rocket Lab reduces scheduling risk and provides superior reliability that streamlines iQPS’ constellation deployment over multiple missions.

Brian Rogers, Vice President – Global Launch Services, says: “Success in space requires a dependable launch partner. Our expanded partnership with iQPS is built on our consistent execution across the many missions we’ve launched for them already, and we’re proud to continue delivering their Earth-imaging constellation to space as we deepen our role as their primary launch provider.”

Rocket Lab’s next launch for iQPS is scheduled to take place no earlier than May 2026.

Rocket Lab Images and Videos: www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlab/

Rocket Lab Media Contact
Murielle Baker
[email protected]

About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components serving commercial, government, and national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides hypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations; and its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for constellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700 missions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. Rocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange (RKLB). 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 www.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. 


Risks

  • Future launch schedules and operational expansion depend on successful development and deployment of Rocket Lab's launch vehicles, including the Electron and the upcoming Neutron rocket.
  • Market competition and technological challenges in the commercial small satellite launch industry could impact Rocket Lab's ability to maintain leadership and contract pipeline.
  • Forward-looking statements are subject to regulatory and financial risks as outlined in Rocket Lab’s SEC filings, including uncertainties in business execution and space mission outcomes.

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