StriX Launch 12 on Electron: Oct 31, 2026 launch & how to watch

What is the StriX Launch 12 mission?

StriX Launch 12 is a Rocket Lab Electron mission set to lift off from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula no earlier than October 31, 2026, at 00:00 UTC. The flight will carry a StriX synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite for Japanese operator Synspective into low Earth orbit.

Electron is a two-stage small-satellite launch vehicle standing 18 meters tall and capable of delivering roughly 300 kg to a Sun-synchronous orbit. It is the workhorse of Rocket Lab's launch program and one of the most frequently flown small rockets in the world, with more than 50 missions to date.

When is the launch?

The current target is October 31, 2026, 00:00 UTC. The status is listed as TBD, meaning the date and time may shift as the campaign progresses. Precise liftoff windows for Electron are typically confirmed by Rocket Lab a few days before launch.

What is the payload?

The payload is a StriX satellite for Synspective, a Tokyo-based Earth-observation company. StriX satellites use synthetic-aperture radar, which can image the Earth's surface day or night and through clouds — an advantage over optical satellites that need clear skies and daylight.

Synspective is building a planned constellation of around 30 StriX satellites to provide frequent radar imagery for disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and land-use analysis. Each StriX spacecraft weighs roughly 100–150 kg and operates in low Earth orbit. Rocket Lab has been Synspective's dedicated launch partner, flying its satellites individually on Electron so each can be placed into a precise operational orbit.

Why launch on Electron?

Electron's small payload capacity is well matched to a single StriX satellite. Dedicated small-rocket launches let Synspective control exactly when and where each satellite is deployed, rather than waiting for a rideshare slot. According to Rocket Lab, this responsiveness is a core selling point of the Electron program.

Where is the launch site?

The mission flies from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula, a private spaceport on New Zealand's North Island. It is the only orbital launch site licensed to fly at high frequency in New Zealand and has hosted the majority of Electron's flights. Its remote coastal location allows launches into a wide range of orbital inclinations, including the polar and Sun-synchronous orbits that Earth-observation satellites like StriX require.

How to watch live

Rocket Lab typically streams Electron launches on its official YouTube channel and website, with coverage beginning roughly 15–20 minutes before liftoff. Because the status is TBD, confirm the final time before tuning in.

• Check the Cosmik rocket launch schedule for the confirmed liftoff time and countdown.
• Follow the Electron's ascent and track the deployed StriX satellite on the Cosmik live 3D map once it reaches orbit.
• See the latest launch news for updates if the date slips.

How to track the satellite after launch

Once StriX separates from Electron's Kick Stage and is cataloged, you can follow it in real time. Learn more about how to track satellites and watch the spacecraft join Synspective's growing radar fleet overhead.

About Rocket Lab and Electron

Rocket Lab, founded in 2006, became the second private company to reach orbit with its own rocket. Electron pioneered the use of 3D-printed, electric-pump-fed Rutherford engines — nine on the first stage and one vacuum-optimized version on the second. The company has also flown reusability tests, recovering boosters from the ocean for inspection and refurbishment.

Data for this mission is sourced from The Space Devs Launch Library. Background on the vehicle and operator is drawn from Rocket Lab and Electron on Wikipedia.

Follow the launch live on Cosmik

Track StriX Launch 12 from countdown to orbit on Cosmik's real-time launch tracker and 3D solar system map. Enable free launch alerts so you never miss liftoff, then watch the new StriX satellite circle Earth alongside thousands of others.