Rocket Lab is preparing to launch a Japanese technology-demonstrating satellite on its "RAISE and Shine" mission. The launch is scheduled for tonight, December 6th, at 10 p.m. EST from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site. This mission marks Rocket Lab’s first direct contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and is part of a larger agreement.
Key Takeaways
- Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket will launch JAXA’s RAISE-4 satellite.
- The mission aims to demonstrate eight new technologies developed in Japan.
- This launch continues Rocket Lab’s successful and record-breaking year.
Mission Details
The "RAISE and Shine" mission will utilize Rocket Lab’s 59-foot-tall Electron rocket. Liftoff is slated for 10 p.m. EST (0300 GMT on December 7th, and 4 p.m. local New Zealand time on December 7th). A live stream of the launch will be available starting 30 minutes prior to liftoff.
This mission is significant as it represents Rocket Lab’s first direct contract with JAXA. It is the initial flight in a two-mission agreement with the Japanese space agency, with the second mission planned as a rideshare launch early next year. Despite this being the first direct contract, Rocket Lab has a strong history with Japan, having launched over 20 missions for Japanese companies to date.
Satellite Objectives
The satellite being launched is JAXA’s Rapid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite-4, or RAISE-4. It is designed to reach a circular orbit approximately 336 miles (540 kilometers) above Earth. The primary objective of RAISE-4 is to test and demonstrate eight distinct technologies that have been developed by various private companies, universities, and research institutions across Japan.
Rocket Lab’s Record-Breaking Year
The "RAISE and Shine" mission is part of what has been a highly successful year for Rocket Lab. As of this launch, the company has completed 18 missions in 2025, all of which have been successful. Fifteen of these were orbital flights, while the remaining three were suborbital launches utilizing HASTE, a specialized version of the Electron rocket designed for hypersonic technology testing. This surpasses Rocket Lab’s previous single-year launch record of 16 missions set in 2024.
Sources
Founder Dinis Guarda
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