Rocket Lab Deploys SUSANOO-II Radar Satellite on Electron Launch
Rocket Lab successfully launched Electron from its New Zealand site carrying iQPS’s SUSANOO-II synthetic aperture radar satellite. The nine 3D-printed Rutherford engines shut off after about 2.5 minutes, stages separated, and the kick stage burned for another 6.5 minutes before a 40-minute coast. SUSANOO-II was deployed about 50 minutes after liftoff at 357 miles (575 km) altitude, adding to iQPS’s planned 36-satellite LEO constellation.