A rendering of Synspective’s SAR satellite StriX. Photo: Synspective

Rocket Lab has signed a deal with Japanese satellite company Synspective to launch its first satellite, the companies announced Tuesday. Rocket plans to launch Synspective’s StriX-α Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite on an Electron launch vehicle as a dedicated mission from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Synspective said that the launch is scheduled for 2020, but may be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The satellite will be the first in Synspective’s planned StriX constellation of around 25 SAR satellites designed to provide geospatial solutions. The company plans to launch six satellites by 2022. SAR can capture images that optical satellites cannot, specifically in all weather conditions and at night. Synspective named its satellite Strix because it is the scientific name for the owl, a bird known for its ability to see clearly at night. 

Synspective plans to provide companies, governments, and research organizations with data that can be used for urban development planning, construction and infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. As the sole payload on the Electron launch vehicle, Synspective will be able to select the exact orbit, launch site, and launch timing that best suits the company’s needs. 

“We are very pleased to work with Rocket Lab, a pioneer in rocket ventures. We are also grateful for their flexibility in accepting our requests on the satellite’s orbit and launch period,” Synspective Founder and CEO Motoyuki Arai said. “This year, we will launch our first satellite as well as our SAR data solutions. With this launch, we are taking a very important step towards establishing Synspective’s one stop service.”