Electron's 99th launch flies as the 100-launch milestone moves one step closer
From the Space digest for Nov 2, 2026
What happened: Rocket Lab launched its 99th Electron mission, "The Sea God Surveys," from LC-1A on the Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand, carrying QPS-SAR-20 (WADATSUMI-II) — Japan's 10th iQPS Earth-observation radar satellite for QPS Inc. The flight converts the scheduled November 2 date into an actual launch.
What's genuinely new: The mission has left the pad; payload-deployment confirmation had not been announced in the available reporting, so the flight outcome beyond liftoff is still open.
Watch: Payload-deployment confirmation for QPS-SAR-20, and the customer and date for Electron's 100th launch.
Links: NASASpaceflight · Space.com · Nov 2, 11:43 AM ET