Mission Success: Rocket Lab Launches 96th Electron Mission
Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, have successfully launched the latest Earth-observation satellite to space for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) company, Synspective.
The ‘Owl By The Dozen’ mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 3:22pm NZST on September 19, 2026 and delivered the 12th StriX satellite directly into an exact 572km low Earth orbit for Synspective’s Earth-monitoring constellation.
The launch marks Rocket Lab’s 96th Electron flight and its 17th launch of 2026, underscoring Electron's unmatched operational cadence in commercial small-lift launch globally. This mission also extends Rocket Lab’s 100% mission success record across its multi-year launch partnership with Synspective.
Mission Highlights:
Global Launch Leadership: With 17 launches completed so far in 2026, Electron continues to lead the global commercial small-lift sector in frequency and reliability.
Pinpoint Orbital Accuracy: Electron’s Kick Stage placed the StriX satellite into its 572km orbit with pinpoint accuracy, maximizing on-orbit lifetime and supporting immediate integration of this latest satellite into Synspective’s constellation.
Constellation Expansion: Rocket Lab has 15 additional dedicated Electron missions manifested through the end of the decade to complete Synspective's commercial SAR constellation.