QPS Research Institute, a Fukuoka-based space technology company, has announced that its small synthetic aperture radar satellite QPS-SAR19, nicknamed Yamatsumi-II, will launch aboard a Rocket Lab Electron vehicle. The launch window opens on November 10, 2026, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. The mission represents another step in QPS Research Institute's effort to build a high-frequency Earth observation constellation.
Launch Details and Mission Profile
The Electron rocket will carry QPS-SAR19 as a dedicated payload to a mid-inclination orbit at an altitude of 575 kilometers. The launch window currently begins on November 10, 2026, with the exact timing to be shared later through the company's website and social media channels. Weather conditions may postpone this schedule, and updates will be published as soon as a specific date is confirmed.
Mission Name and Patch Symbolism
Rocket Lab has named this Electron mission The Mountain God Rises, drawing from the satellite's nickname Yamatsumi-II. The spacecraft is the second in the same orbital plane as Yamatsumi-I, so it shares the name of Japan's mountain guardian deity. The mission patch features Mount Fuji, and the stars represent the number of QPS-SAR satellites previously launched by Electron while the serial number appears on the satellite body.
QPS-SAR Technology and Performance
QPS-SAR satellites use a lightweight deployable antenna protected by a company patent, enabling strong radar emissions from a compact platform. This design reduces mass to about one-twentieth that of conventional SAR satellites and lowers cost to roughly one-hundredth. The satellite can capture imagery with a ground resolution of 46 centimeters, which the company describes as world-leading among commercial small SAR systems.
Constellation Expansion and Data Services
QPS Research Institute plans to operate 24 satellites by the end of May 2028 and to add further units in 2030 as part of a large constellation. The system is designed to provide quasi-real-time observation data at an average interval of 10 minutes. This expansion responds to growing global demand for timely Earth observation data and builds on the company's earlier 36 satellite constellation concept.
Company Background and Partnerships
Founded in June 2005 in Fukuoka, QPS Research Institute develops satellites, onboard instruments, precision machinery, electronic equipment, and software. Its name reflects the phrase Q-shu Pioneers of Space and its ambition to advance the space industry from Kyushu. The company works with more than 25 partner companies, primarily in northern Kyushu, supported by experienced professors and young engineers.
Rocket Lab's Electron and Launch Cadence
Rocket Lab, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Long Beach, California, operates four launch pads across New Zealand and Virginia. Its Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched rocket in the United States each year. The company has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit for commercial and government customers since its first launch in January 2018.
The upcoming launch of QPS-SAR19 Yamatsumi-II highlights QPS Research Institute's progress toward a high-resolution, high-frequency SAR constellation. By pairing a dedicated Electron mission with an established small satellite design, the company is advancing its commercial Earth observation capabilities. The mission reinforces Rocket Lab's role as a flexible launch provider and signals continued momentum in the global small satellite industry.