Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite from New Zealand [9:25]

An Electron rocket launched a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) spacecraft for the Tokyo-based company Synspective from Rocket Lab's New Zealand site on Sept. 18, 2026 at 11:22 p.m. EDT (0322 GMT and 3:22 p.m. local time on Sept. 19). Credit: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite from New Zealand | 9:25 VideoFromSpace | 2.14M subscribers | 5,187 views | September 19, 2026