Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company and launch service provider, specializing in small satellite launches with its Electron rocket, which has launched 63 times as of April 2025. They are also developing the larger Neutron rocket for constellation deployment. Rocket Lab provides complete space solutions including satellite design and manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management, serving commercial, civil, and defense markets, with major partners including NASA and the US Space Force. Key products include the Electron and Neutron rockets, Photon satellite bus, and various satellite components.
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NROL-199 was projected to launch on 2022-08-02 on a Rocket Lab Electron from Rocket Lab’s launch site in New Zealand.
Rocket Lab operates its own launch complex, which enabled relatively quick rescheduling of NROL-199 after payload upgrades were completed.
Rocket Lab began manufacturing Photon small satellites in Huntington Beach, California in 2019.
Rocket Lab launched the NROL-162 mission on 2022-07-13.
Rocket Lab planned with the National Reconnaissance Office to launch two missions within 10 days.
Rocket Lab acquired manufacturer Sinclair Interplanetary in 2020 to ensure reaction wheels are on the shelf for its satellites.
Rocket Lab completed the $80,000,000 acquisition of solar power system manufacturer SolAero Technologies in January.
Rocket Lab and Lockheed Martin reached an agreement on 2022-07-27 to supply solar cells and radiation-hardened assemblies for the geostationary Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites.
Rocket Lab will supply Coverglass Interconnected Cell (CIC) assemblies designed for severe space radiation environments and thermal stress conditions for the Next-Gen OPIR satellites.
Rocket Lab operates three launch pads at two launch sites, including two pads at a private orbital launch site in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA.
Rocket Lab is expanding into a new 40,000-square-foot space system complex in Littleton, Colorado near its existing 15,000-square-foot location on Shaffer Parkway.
Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform.
Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and the first private commercial mission to Venus.
Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle conducted its first orbital launch in January 2018 and has delivered 148 satellites to orbit.
Rocket Lab’s Lunar Photon deployed NASA’s CAPSTONE spacecraft to the Moon on 2022-06-28 and includes MAX Flight Software among its onboard systems.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. operates MAX Flight Software on 53 spacecraft for a cumulative 161 years in space as of Q2.
Advanced Solutions Inc (ASI) developed the MAX Flight Software and was acquired by Rocket Lab in October 2021.
Since January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) launched NROL-162 from Pad A at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 at 06:30 UTC on 2022-07-13.
Electron successfully delivered the National Reconnaissance Office national security payload NROL-162 to space.