Rocket Lab is set to launch a Japanese technology-demonstrating satellite this evening, December 6th. A live broadcast of the liftoff will be available for public viewing.
Rocket Lab is preparing to launch its 59-foot (18-meter) Electron rocket tonight from its New Zealand site.
The mission, dubbed “RAISE and Shine,” is targeted for a 10 p.m. EST liftoff. For those tracking in other time zones, this corresponds to 0300 GMT and 4 p.m. local New Zealand time on Sunday, December 7.
Rocket Lab is scheduled to broadcast its upcoming launch live, with coverage slated to begin 30 minutes prior to liftoff. Space.com anticipates carrying this live feed, pending its expected availability from the company.
The “RAISE and Shine” mission marks a significant milestone for Rocket Lab, representing its first direct launch contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This inaugural flight is the first part of a two-mission agreement between the commercial space company and Japan’s national space agency. The second mission, a rideshare launch, is slated to take place early next year.
The California-based firm has established a profound and enduring relationship with Japan, having completed more than 20 missions for various Japanese enterprises throughout its history.
Today, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is set to launch its Rapid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite-4, officially designated RAISE-4. The mission will propel the satellite into a circular orbit, positioning it 336 miles (540 kilometers) above Earth.
The RAISE-4 satellite, whose name broadly hints at its ambitious goals, is set to embark on a critical mission: to demonstrate eight advanced technologies. These innovations, developed through a collaborative effort involving private companies, universities, and research institutions across Japan, will be put to the test in orbit, as outlined in a mission description from Rocket Lab.
The upcoming “RAISE and Shine” mission is poised to further extend Rocket Lab’s already record-breaking 2025 performance. To date, the company has successfully completed 18 launches this year, all without incident. This impressive tally includes 15 orbital deployments, alongside three suborbital flights that utilized HASTE. HASTE, a specialized modification of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, is specifically engineered to assist customers in testing advanced hypersonic technologies within the challenging environment of near-space.
Rocket Lab previously held its single-year launch record at 16 missions, a benchmark achieved in 2024.
