ROCKET LAB
Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8)
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Aug 20, 2026 at 13:04 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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Source
PADRocket Lab Launch Complex 1B
SITERocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand →ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEEarth Science
MISSION OVERVIEW
Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
ElectronAGENCY
Rocket LabMISSION
The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8)
MISSION TYPE
Earth Science
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1BCOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 57280454-470e-4c5d-8de1-1bbd0ea41b49
Reported date: Aug 20, 2026 at 13:04 UTC
Last synced: 3 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGEAug 20, 2026 at 16:28 UTC
IN FLIGHT → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEAug 20, 2026 at 13:11 UTC
GO → IN FLIGHT
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.1 hrs)
Aug 20, 2026 at 12:09 UTCAug 20, 2026 13:00 → Aug 20, 2026 13:04 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEAug 19, 2026 at 21:28 UTC
TBD → GO
Source: Launch Library 2
MOVED UP(10.5 days)
Aug 19, 2026 at 21:28 UTCAug 31, 2026 00:00 → Aug 20, 2026 13:00 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Electron →
MANUFACTURER
Rocket Lab
FLIGHTS
93
SUCCESSES
89
SUCCESS RATE
95.7%
Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) launch?
The Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 1:04 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8)?
The Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) mission uses the Electron rocket, manufactured by Rocket Lab. The Electron has flown 93 times with a 95.7% success rate.
Where is the Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) launching from?
The launch takes place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
What orbit is The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) going to?
The The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8)?
The Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) is operated by Rocket Lab.
Can I watch the Electron | The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Aug 20, 2026 16:28 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Aug 20, 2026 16:28 UTC
Status changed: IN FLIGHT u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
Aug 20, 2026 13:11 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 IN FLIGHT
Launch IN FLIGHT (via Launch Library 2)
Aug 20, 2026 12:09 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.1 hours
Aug 20, 2026 13:00 UTC u2192 Aug 20, 2026 13:04 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Aug 19, 2026 21:28 UTC
Launch moved up by 10.5 days
Aug 31, 2026 00:00 UTC u2192 Aug 20, 2026 13:00 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Aug 19, 2026 21:28 UTC
Status changed: TBD u2192 GO
Launch GO for launch (via Launch Library 2)
Aug 6, 2026 15:08 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Aug 6, 2026 15:08 UTC
Launch date set: Aug 20, 2026 at 13:04 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Rocket Lab
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 3 minutes ago
●Launch Library 23 minutes ago
Launch ID: 57280454-470e-4c5d-8de1-1bbd0ea41b49
●Open-Meteo Weather2 weeks ago
Pad weather at -39.26, 177.86
Mission Profile
The Lightning God Defends (iQPS Launch 8) was a Electron mission operated by Rocket Lab that lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand on August 20, 2026. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch was a success.