iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space)

株式会社QPS研究所

iQPS (Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space) is a Japanese space startup and satellite manufacturer, founded in 2005 as a spin-off from Kyushu University. They specialize in developing and operating small, high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites for Earth observation. iQPS aims to establish a constellation of 36 satellites to enable near-real-time monitoring of any location on Earth, with applications in disaster management and global-scale insights.

commercialFounded 2005

Fukuoka, Japan

i-qps.net/en/

Admin Edit

All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

iQPS was Rocket Lab's largest customer last year, accounting for 6 of Rocket Lab's 21 launches.

RelationshipsValue 4.5Jun 28, 2026Last year, iQPS was Rocket Lab's largest customer with 6 out of 21 launches being for them. Starting with "The Grain Goddess Provides", the pace will be slower with only 8 launches planned by the end of 2028. Launch of QPS-SAR-13 "MIKURA-I" is set for NET June 30th at 01:15 UTC.

Rocket Lab expects to conduct 15 Electron launches for iQPS by 2030.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0Jun 28, 2026Rocket Lab completes 91st Electron mission for Synspective

Rocket Lab's upcoming Electron mission for iQPS will be called "The Grain Goddess Provides".

PlanValue 3.8Jun 28, 2026Rocket Lab completes 91st Electron mission for Synspective

The upcoming Electron mission for iQPS will be the eighth in that launch series.

PlanValue 2.8Jun 28, 2026Rocket Lab completes 91st Electron mission for Synspective

Rocket Lab's mission "The Grain Goddess Provides" is a constellation deployment mission for iQPS.

PlanValue 3.5Jun 28, 2026Last year, iQPS was Rocket Lab's largest customer with 6 out of 21 launches being for them. Starting with "The Grain Goddess Provides", the pace will be slower with only 8 launches planned by the end of 2028. Launch of QPS-SAR-13 "MIKURA-I" is set for NET June 30th at 01:15 UTC.

Rocket Lab has another Electron mission planned from Launch Complex 1 for iQPS.

PlanValue 4.0Jun 28, 2026Rocket Lab completes 91st Electron mission for Synspective

Rocket Lab will deliver another QPS-SAR satellite to low Earth orbit for iQPS's Earth-imaging constellation.

RelationshipsCapabilityPlanValue 4.0Jun 28, 2026Last year, iQPS was Rocket Lab's largest customer with 6 out of 21 launches being for them. Starting with "The Grain Goddess Provides", the pace will be slower with only 8 launches planned by the end of 2028. Launch of QPS-SAR-13 "MIKURA-I" is set for NET June 30th at 01:15 UTC.

Rocket Lab has 8 launches planned for iQPS through the end of 2028.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0Jun 28, 2026Last year, iQPS was Rocket Lab's largest customer with 6 out of 21 launches being for them. Starting with "The Grain Goddess Provides", the pace will be slower with only 8 launches planned by the end of 2028. Launch of QPS-SAR-13 "MIKURA-I" is set for NET June 30th at 01:15 UTC.

Rocket Lab's next launch will likely be "The Grain Goddess Provides" carrying QPS-SAR-13, named MIKURA-I, for iQPS.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0May 22, 2026Mission success! Rocket Lab's next launch will likely be "The Grain Goddess Provides" carrying QPS-SAR-13 named "MIKURA-I" for iQPS. This launch was scheduled for this month, but has been delayed to next month. The next launch for Synspective is scheduled for July.

The Grain Goddess Provides will carry QPS-SAR-13, nicknamed MIKURA-I, for iQPS.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.0Apr 23, 2026Currently there are at least 2 launches expected next month. These include "The Grain Goddess Provides" carrying QPS-SAR-13 nicknamed "MIKURA-I" for iQPS, as well as the next launch for Synspective carrying the next StriX satellite.

Rocket Lab has a new contract with the Japanese company iQPS for three additional Electron launches.

RelationshipsValue 4.5Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

Some iQPS satellites have also flown on SpaceX rideshare missions.

RelationshipsValue 2.5Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

Each Electron mission for iQPS will carry one iQPS spacecraft.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.6Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

Rocket Lab has executed seven missions for iQPS since 2023.

RelationshipsPlanValue 3.0Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

iQPS is developing a synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation that can operate day and night and in all weather conditions.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.5Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

Rocket Lab previously had five additional launches booked for iQPS, including three contracted in October of the previous year.

PlanRelationshipsValue 3.5Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

The three additional Rocket Lab Electron missions for iQPS will launch from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand starting in 2028.

PlanValue 4.0Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

The last Electron flight for iQPS took place in December.

PlanGrowthValue 2.0Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

iQPS has used Rocket Lab as its primary launch provider for most of its satellite launches.

RelationshipsValue 3.2Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

The next iQPS satellite launch on an Electron is scheduled for May.

PlanValue 3.2Apr 14, 2026Rocket Lab amplía su colaboración con iQPS con tres nuevos lanzamientos del cohete Electron

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