Synspective, a Japanese company specializing in radar imaging satellites, has finalized a deal with Rocket Lab for an additional ten Electron launches. The announcement was made on September 30, 2024, during the International Astronautical Congress held in Sydney. Each launch will carry a StriX radar imaging satellite and will take place from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.
This new contract builds on an earlier agreement signed in June 2024, which also included ten Electron launches scheduled between 2025 and 2027. That contract represented the largest single agreement for Electron to date, highlighting Synspective’s growing commitment to space technology. With this latest agreement, Synspective continues to solidify its position as Rocket Lab’s largest Electron customer, having completed six launches so far and with a backlog of 21 launches planned through the end of the decade.
Strategic Importance of Regular Launches
Peter Beck, the Chief Executive of Rocket Lab, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Regular and reliable launch on a flexible schedule is essential to the buildout of Synspective’s constellation, and Electron has been integral to this from the start as the sole launcher of all StriX satellites in space today.”
While Synspective has relied exclusively on Rocket Lab for its launches thus far, it is diversifying its launch providers for future projects. Earlier this year, the company entered into a contract with SpaceX to launch two satellites on rideshare missions. Additionally, in July, Synspective signed an agreement with launch service provider Exolaunch for ten satellites starting in 2027, focusing on rideshare missions such as SpaceX’s Transporter series.
Motoyuki Arai, Synspective’s founder and Chief Executive, acknowledged the challenges in the launch services market, stating, “We have to expand the satellite constellation immediately, but the problem in the launch services market is the shortage of launch opportunities. It’s very tough to find the appropriate opportunities.”
Ambitious Goals and Financial Performance
Synspective aims to deploy a total of 30 synthetic aperture radar imaging satellites into orbit by 2030. The company reports strong demand for its radar imagery from both the Japanese government and commercial sectors. After going public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December, Synspective disclosed a revenue of 1.327 billion yen (approximately $9 million) for the first half of 2025, marking a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Despite this growth, the company also reported a net loss of 2.484 billion yen in the first half of 2025, nearly double the loss from the previous year.
This ongoing investment in satellite technology and launch services underscores Synspective’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities and meeting the increasing demand for high-quality radar imagery. With its recent agreements and ambitious goals, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly evolving space industry.
