Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8)
Pad: Unknown Pad · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.
Electron CAPSTONE Lunar Mission Liftoff
Photo: Rocket Lab / Yourong F. Wang
Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) Live Coverage
Official Webcast Feed Scheduled
Live broadcast embeds typically go live 15 to 20 minutes prior to launch window liftoff. Check the official Rocket Lab channels or Spaceflight Now for live feeds.
🛰️ Mission Orbital & Environment Matrix
- Target Orbit
- LEO
- Target Altitude
- 550 km
- Inclination
- 53.2°
- Weather Violation Risk
- 10%
- Primary Payload
- The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8)
- Launch Window
- Monday, August 31, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC – 12:00 AM UTC
♻️ Hardware Reusability & Recovery Matrix
- Booster Core
- Flight Proven Core
- Flight Count
- Operational Flight
- Recovery Strategy
- ASDS
- Fairing Recovery
- Flight Proven
- Landing Vessel / Zone
- Designated Landing Zone
- Vehicle Architecture
- Electron Technical Specs & Flight Geometry →
⏱️ Operational Timeline Milestones & Staging Sequence
Target T-0: 2026-08-31Terminal Count
T-00:15:00Autonomous launch sequence start
Auto Sequence
T-00:03:00Flight computer assumes control
Liftoff
T-00:00:00Stage 1 main engine ignition & liftoff
MECO & Stage Sep
T+00:02:40Main engine cut-off and stage separation
Stage 1 Landing
T+00:08:30Booster touchdown on recovery vessel / zone
Payload Deploy
T+00:45:00Spacecraft insertion into target orbit
Unknown Pad
Mahia Launch Facility · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Rocket Lab LC-1 Mahia Peninsula Cliff
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 perched high above the South Pacific Ocean cliffs on the east coast of New Zealand.
Photo Credit: Rocket Lab / Rodney AllenLocated on the scenic cliffs of New Zealand's North Island, LC-1 is the world's only private orbital spaceport licensed to launch every 72 hours. With unobstructed ocean paths to low Earth orbit and sun-synchronous inclinations, it offers superior orbital flexibility.