Why did Rocket Lab just fly its 97th rocket — and what does a radar satellite actually do?

Rocket Lab placed Synspective's 13th StriX radar satellite into a precise orbit. Radar imaging works through clouds and darkness, making it valuable for disaster and infrastructure monitoring.

Rocket Lab’s “Owlright, Owlright, Owlright” mission was Electron’s 97th launch and its 18th of 2026, placing Synspective’s 13th StriX satellite into a 559-kilometer low Earth orbit. StriX uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR): it sends radio pulses toward Earth and combines the returning echoes as the spacecraft moves, producing detailed images through clouds and at night rather than waiting for clear daylight. Synspective uses 1–3 meter imagery for urban planning, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response.

Rocket Lab has been the constellation’s sole launch provider since 2020, with 14 more missions booked through 2030. A dedicated small launch costs more per kilogram than sharing a larger rocket, but it lets one customer choose the exact orbit and schedule. For a radar constellation, that control helps place each satellite into the intended orbital plane instead of spending scarce onboard fuel and months drifting from a rideshare drop-off.