Electron | StriX Launch 11: Launch Time & How to Watch (31 July 2026)

When is the Electron StriX Launch 11 mission?

Rocket Lab is scheduled to launch its Electron rocket on the StriX Launch 11 mission no earlier than 00:00 UTC on 31 July 2026. The mission lifts off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand. The launch status is currently listed as TBD, meaning the date and time may shift as the window is confirmed.

Because the launch time is set to midnight UTC, prospective viewers should double-check the schedule close to the date. You can find the latest confirmed timing on our rocket launch schedule.

What is the payload?

StriX Launch 11 continues the deployment of the StriX constellation, a series of small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites operated by Japanese Earth-observation company Synspective. SAR satellites use radar rather than optical cameras, which lets them image the ground day or night and through cloud cover — a capability especially valuable for disaster monitoring, infrastructure tracking, and urban development analysis over Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Rocket Lab has been a long-standing launch partner for the StriX program, delivering these satellites to their target orbits on dedicated Electron missions. The small, dedicated nature of Electron makes it well suited to placing individual constellation satellites into precise orbits and inclinations.

Why launch on Electron?

Electron is a two-stage, small-lift orbital rocket capable of carrying roughly 300 kg to low Earth orbit. It is one of the most frequently flown small rockets in the world and features a carbon-composite structure and electric-pump-fed Rutherford engines. For a single dedicated SAR satellite like StriX, Electron offers the flexibility to fly to a custom orbit without waiting for a rideshare slot.

Where is the launch site?

The mission flies from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. This is Rocket Lab's original launch site and remains the primary home of the Electron program. Its remote coastal location allows for a wide range of orbital inclinations with clear downrange trajectories over the ocean.

How to watch the launch live

Rocket Lab typically streams its Electron launches via a live webcast that begins around 15–20 minutes before liftoff. Coverage is usually available on Rocket Lab's official channels. Because this is a midnight-UTC launch, be sure to convert the time to your local zone:

• UTC: 00:00, 31 July 2026
• New Zealand (NZST): midday local, later on 31 July
• US Eastern: evening of 30 July

You can also follow the countdown, trajectory, and post-launch orbit tracking on Cosmik. Head to our Rocket Lab launch hub for mission status updates, or explore the live 3D solar system and satellite map to see where the payload will operate once deployed.

Tracking the StriX satellite after launch

Once StriX Launch 11 reaches orbit, the deployed SAR satellite will join the rest of the constellation circling Earth. You can learn how to follow individual spacecraft with our guide on how to track satellites, and see live orbital positions on the Cosmik map.

Background: Rocket Lab and Electron

Founded in New Zealand and now headquartered in the United States, Rocket Lab has become one of the most active commercial launch providers in the small-satellite market. The Electron rocket has flown dozens of missions from Launch Complex 1, delivering payloads for commercial, government, and defense customers worldwide. Launch data for this article is sourced from The Space Devs Launch Library.

For more upcoming missions and recaps, browse the latest launch news.

Follow the launch live on Cosmik

Don't miss liftoff — follow StriX Launch 11 on Cosmik's real-time launch tracker, watch the Electron rocket climb to orbit, and enable free launch alerts so you're notified before the countdown begins. Then track the newly deployed StriX satellite on our live 3D map.