flown missionSuccess

Electron | The Owl’s Night Continues (StriX-β)

Rocket LabRocket Lab Launch Complex 1B — Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

mission

Name
The Owl’s Night Continues (StriX-β)
Type
Earth Science
Target orbit
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)

StriX β is a Japanese synthetic aperture radar satellite built by Synspective as a demonstrator for their planned 25 satellite constellation. It will feature an X-band synthetic aperture radar. StriX β is an upgraded version of the StriX α prototype. The satellite features two deployable panes, one side carrying solar cells, the other carrying the X-band radar antenna. The StriX satellite constellation can target data with a ground resolution of 1-3 m, single polarized (VV), and a swath width of more than 10-30 km. The StriX observation modes are Stripmap and Sliding Spotlight mode and each satellite has an SAR antenna that is 5 meters in length and stowed during launch. The simple design of the satellites allows for affordable development of the constellation. StriX β was planned to be launched in 2021 on a Soyuz-2-1a Fregat or Soyuz-2-1b Fregat rideshare mission, but as this mission was delayed, it was re-booked on a dedicated Electron KS launch. Synspective is planning a constellation of 25 satellites called StriX, comprised of 100-kilogram satellites capable of imaging at a resolution of one to three meters. By 2022 the company plans to have six satellites in orbit. The company has not set a date by which it hopes to achieve 25 satellites.

schedule

NET (no earlier than)
Window opens
Window closes
Last updated

vehicle & provider

Rocket
Electron
Provider
Rocket Lab
Type
Commercial
Country
USA

webcasts

launch site

Pad
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B
Location
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Country
NZL
Timezone
Pacific/Auckland