The Lightning God Reigns (iQPS Launch 1)
Electron, Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch time
Window opens
Sat 15 Mar, 01:00 CET
00:00 UTC
The rocket put its payload into the planned orbit.
- Window closes
How sure is this date?
The source gives minute precision. Launch plans can change.
Launch record updated by LL2
Feed checkedMission
The Lightning God Reigns (iQPS Launch 1) on Electron. Sat 15 Mar 2025, 00:00 UTC. Reported outcome: Success. Launch site: Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B. Source: 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 Reigns Patch
Patch artwork is not shown because its image licence is unconfirmed.
Launch timeline
Times are relative to liftoff. Clock times are not shown while T-0 is unconfirmed or on hold.
- 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+56 s
Supersonic
Vehicle is supersonic
- T+1 min 7 s
Max-Q
Maximum dynamic pressure
- T+2 min 33 s
MECO
Cut-off of the main engine
- T+2 min 36 s
Stage 2 Separation
Separation of the second stage from the first
- T+2 min 40 s
SES
Start of the second engine
- T+3 min 25 s
Fairing Separation
Separation of the payload fairing
- T+6 min 31 s
Battery Hotswap
Electron Second stages switches to a new set of batteries and jettisons the depleted ones.
- T+9 min 6 s
SECO
Cut-off of the second engine
- T+9 min 10 s
Kick Stage Separation
Separation of the kick stage from the previous stage
- T+51 min 20 s
Kick Stage Ignition
Start of the kick stage engine
- T+54 min 48 s
Kick Stage Cut-off
Cut-off of the kick stage engine
- T+55 min 39 s
Payload Separation
Final deployment of the payload from the rocket
Slip history
Changes recorded by Space Right Now
No changes since we started tracking on .
Source updates from Launch Library 2 (8)
Announcements supplied by LL2 may predate our tracking. They are separate from changes observed by Space Right Now.
- LL2 update
Launch success; 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
Delayed to March 15 UTC
Read the source update - LL2 update
Adding launch window and mission name, updating pad
Read the source update - LL2 update
NET March.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Added launch.
Read the source update
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