December 16, 2025
Rocket Lab marked a major milestone Monday morning as it successfully completed its first dedicated launch for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), further strengthening its position as a leading provider of small satellite launch services.
The mission, dubbed “RAISE And Shine,” lifted off on December 14 from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Using its Electron rocket, the company successfully deployed the RAISE-4 satellite into orbit, completing the mission as planned.
RAISE-4 will test eight new space technologies developed by Japanese companies under JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. The program is designed to accelerate the validation of next-generation space technologies by providing regular, low-cost access to orbit, a niche where Rocket Lab has built a strong track record.
First Dedicated JAXA Mission
This launch represents Rocket Lab’s first fully dedicated Electron mission for JAXA, a significant step in the company’s growing portfolio of government-backed customers. Rocket Lab said the mission highlights the reliability and precision of Electron, which is specifically designed to deliver small satellites into exact orbital destinations without the compromises often required on rideshare missions.
“Dedicated access to space is increasingly critical for technology demonstration and national space programs,” Rocket Lab said in a statement, noting that Electron’s flexibility makes it well suited for missions that require strict orbital parameters and tailored launch timelines.
More JAXA and ESA Missions Ahead
Rocket Lab confirmed that this is the first of two planned dedicated Electron missions for JAXA, with a second launch expected in early 2026. In addition, the company has a separate Electron mission scheduled next year for the European Space Agency (ESA), underscoring its expanding footprint among international government space agencies.
Record-Breaking Launch Cadence
The JAXA mission was Rocket Lab’s 19th launch of 2025, extending an annual launch record that the company set earlier this year. The growing cadence reflects steady demand for small satellite launches from both commercial and government customers.
Rocket Lab also said another Electron mission is planned later this month from its U.S.-based Launch Complex 2, located at Wallops Island, Virginia. That launch will further demonstrate the company’s ability to operate from multiple launch sites and serve customers with diverse regulatory and mission requirements.
Strengthening Its Role in SmallSat Launches
Electron has become a key player in the small satellite market, a segment driven by Earth observation, technology demonstration, and national security missions. With repeat business from major government agencies and an expanding international customer base, Rocket Lab continues to position itself as a reliable alternative to larger, rideshare-focused launch providers.
The successful JAXA mission not only reinforces Electron’s performance record but also signals growing confidence among global space agencies in Rocket Lab’s dedicated launch model—one that prioritizes precision, schedule control, and mission-specific requirements.
As Rocket Lab closes out 2025 with a record number of launches and multiple missions on the horizon, the company’s momentum in the small satellite launch market shows little sign of slowing.