Earth orbit
RAISE-4
RAISE-4 is a Japanese technology-demo satellite launched under JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program, flying aboard a dedicated mission from Rocket Lab out of New Zealand. The single small satellite will carry eight experimental technologies from Japanese industry and academia, with the goal of validating new on-orbit capabilities such as onboard processing, advanced sensors, propulsion systems, and autonomous operations. Among the payloads aboard RAISE-4 is a deployable sail system (D-SAIL) that increases atmospheric drag to accelerate de-orbiting, as well as a commercial-grade GPU module for edge-computing in orbit, and an electric propulsion experiment. Together these systems support Japan’s push to enhance its small-satellite ecosystem, deepen commercial partnerships, and leverage dedicated small-launch access for flexible space missions.
Earth orbitLaunch succeeded; current mission operations are not tracked by RocketLaunch.Live
View in 3D map ↗The mission
RAISE-4 is a Japanese technology-demo satellite launched under JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program, flying aboard a dedicated mission from Rocket Lab out of New Zealand. The single small satellite will carry eight experimental technologies from Japanese industry and academia, with the goal of validating new on-orbit capabilities such as onboard processing, advanced sensors, propulsion systems, and autonomous operations. Among the payloads aboard RAISE-4 is a deployable sail system (D-SAIL) that increases atmospheric drag to accelerate de-orbiting, as well as a commercial-grade GPU module for edge-computing in orbit, and an electric propulsion experiment. Together these systems support Japan’s push to enhance its small-satellite ecosystem, deepen commercial partnerships, and leverage dedicated small-launch access for flexible space missions.
The launch
- Launch
- Dec 14 2025
- Launch location
- LC-1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex, Mahia Peninsula
- Launch vehicle
- Electron
- Orbit
- Earth orbit
Launch intelligence
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the "RAISE and Shine" mission on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:09 AM (UTC).
- Launch provider
- Rocket Lab
- Vehicle
- Electron
- COSPAR launch ID
- 2025-297
- Flight profile
- Orbital
- Launch result
- Success
- Window opens
- Dec 14, 2025, 03:09 UTC
- Target T-0
- Not published
- Window closes
- Not published
- Provider display
- Dec 14 2025
- Pad and location
- LC-1B, Rocket Lab Launch Complex, Mahia Peninsula
Launch media
Mission timeline
Follow the mission through its available trajectory data in the full 3D solar-system map.
Mission ended — Archived
End date not documented
Launch succeeded; current mission operations are not tracked by RocketLaunch.Live
Gallery
0 images from RAISE-4.
No mission imagery is available yet.
Community discussion
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