Rocket Lab gets a go for a new StriX Satellite launch

Rocket Lab has completed a launch rehearsal and confirmed readiness to fly the fifth Strix satellite into orbit using the Electron rocket.

The mission is themed “Owl For One, One for Owl” and will take off from Launch Complex 1, Pad B, Mahia, New Zealand. The launch window will open on July 30 (UTC), for two hours from 04:15 AM to 06:15 AM  (NZT) on July 31. If required, the company can opt for a backup launch opportunity in August.

Electron will place the satellite at 543 km circular earth orbit with 43 degrees inclination.

SAR satellite

This is the fifth dedicated mission of Japanese Earth observation company Synspective. This mission will deeply new StriX series satellite into the existing constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites in low Earth orbit.

This constellation provides high-frequency and resolution Earth observation. It enables satellite data and other solutions that combine SAR and the Internet of Things (IoT) data with machine learning and data science technologies.

These satellites are built with SAR sensors to observe Earth’s surface in different weather, day or night. It remains unaffected by clouds or rain to monitor weather and cloud formation. It can detect anomalies in the road, train energy, and other infrastructure to lower maintenance costs and reduce accidents.

The satellite can help to maintain crop growth by analyzing soil and vegetation health. It can detect illegal logging and fishing in remote places and provide damage assessment after flooding, landslides, and other natural disaster as well as risk assessment.

Launch rehearsal successfully complete! ✅Onward to launch for @synspective this week – our 5th of 16 launches for the Japanese Earth-imaging company. https://t.co/xyg2Ghty8K pic.twitter.com/7Yw5ivvkGy

— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) July 29, 2024

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