Rocket Lab launches a mission for iQPS on Dec. 15. Photo: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab returned the Electron vehicle to flight on Friday with a successful mission for Japanese company Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc., known as iQPS. This was Rocket Lab’s first mission after resolving an issue that caused the September launch failure. 

This was Rocket Lab’s 10th mission in 2023. While the gap in launches due to the failure kept Rocket Lab from hitting its target of 15 missions this year, it still reached a new annual record for launches, beating last year’s nine missions. 

“Congratulations to our team for hitting a new annual launch record of ten missions, further cementing Electron’s position as the leading small launch vehicle globally. For the fifth year running, Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually,” commented Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. 

Friday’s mission, named “The Moon God Awakens,” launched from Pad B at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 5:05 p.m. local time on Dec. 15. It deployed a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for iQPS called TSUKUYOMI-I. The satellite joins another iQPS satellite already in orbit and forms part of what will eventually be a 36-satellite constellation. 

Rocket Lab previewed its 2024 launch manifest during its most recent financial results, and the company is fully booked with 22 missions. Rocket Lab is targeting five launches in the first quarter and six in the second quarter.