The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8)
Electron, Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch time
T-0
Thu 20 Aug, 15:04:45 CEST
13:04:45 UTC
The rocket put its payload into the planned orbit.
How sure is this date?
The source gives second precision. Launch plans can change.
Launch probability 80%
Source updated
UpdatedSlip history
No changes since we started tracking on .
- LL2 update
Launch success with satellite in contact.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Spacecraft separation.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Liftoff.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Official Webcast by Rocket Lab has started
Read the source update - LL2 update
Updated launch time (https://rocketlabcorp.com/launch/launch-safety/), launch pad (https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2090337999557136427) and launch weather.
Read the source update - LL2 update
GO for launch on August 20.
Read the source update - LL2 update
NET late August.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Added launch.
Read the source update
Mission
The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) on Electron from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B. Launch time, status and recorded date changes from Launch Library 2.
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.
- Mission type
- Earth Science
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbit
Rocket file imagery
File imagery: Virginia is for Launch Lovers, 24 January 2023. Electron lifting off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at Wallops.
Credit: NASA/Danielle Johnson · Public domain (NASA) · SourceMission patches
- The Lightning God Defends Patch
Patch artwork is not shown because its image licence is unconfirmed.
Launch timeline
Times are relative to liftoff.
- T-2 min
Startup
The onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
- T-2 s
Ignition
Start of the engine ignition sequence
- T-0
Liftoff
First upwards movement of the rocket
- T+58 s
Supersonic
Vehicle is supersonic
- T+1 min 9 s
Max-Q
Maximum dynamic pressure
- T+2 min 26 s
MECO
Cut-off of the main engine
- T+2 min 29 s
Stage 2 Separation
Separation of the second stage from the first
- T+2 min 33 s
SES
Start of the second engine
- T+3 min 36 s
Fairing Separation
Separation of the payload fairing
- T+6 min 28 s
Battery Hotswap
Electron Second stages switches to a new set of batteries and jettisons the depleted ones.
- T+9 min 1 s
SECO
Cut-off of the second engine
- T+9 min 5 s
Kick Stage Separation
Separation of the kick stage from the previous stage
- T+46 min 33 s
Kick Stage Ignition
Start of the kick stage engine
- T+49 min 27 s
Kick Stage Cut-off
Cut-off of the kick stage engine
- T+50 min 18 s
Payload Separation
Final deployment of the payload from the rocket
Launch pad
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (NZ)
Coordinates: -39.262833, 177.864469
View launch pad on a map