Rocket Lab To Launch Japanese Satellite RAISE And Shine On Electron Rocket

On a winter evening, December 8th, Rocket Lab is set to launch a Japanese technology-demonstrating satellite, aptly named “RAISE and Shine,” from its New Zealand site. The 59-foot-tall Electron rocket, scheduled to take off at 10 p. m. EST, will carry the Rapid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite-4, or RAISE-4, to a circular orbit 336 miles above Earth. This mission marks the first direct collaboration between Rocket Lab and JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, as part of a two-flight deal. The launch, initially planned for December 6th, was delayed by two days, and Rocket Lab will provide a ___ stream of the event, 30 minutes prior to liftoff, which Space. com will carry.

This mission is significant, as it continues Rocket Lab’s record-breaking year, with 18 successful launches in 2025, including 15 orbital flights and three suborbital launches with HASTE. Rocket Lab has a long history of working with Japanese companies, having launched over 20 missions to date. The “RAISE and Shine” mission showcases the company’s capabilities and commitment to providing innovative solutions for its clients.