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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Rocket Lab secured a $190 million MACH-TB 2.0 hypersonic test contract in March 2026.
Rocket Lab’s defense backlog spans satellite manufacturing, missile detection, and hypersonic test services.
Rocket Lab received the $816 million Space Development Agency Tranche 3 Tracking Layer contract in December 2025.
Rocket Lab’s core defense backlog includes a $515 million Space Development Agency Transport Layer contract, an $816 million Space Development Agency Tranche 3 Tracking Layer contract, and a $190 million MACH-TB 2.0 contract.
The eight satellites are scheduled to launch on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket no earlier than April 2026 from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.
Rocket Lab had already demonstrated satellite integration of avionics, propulsion, and structure at production rates before receiving the $816 million Space Development Agency contract.
The $816 million Space Development Agency Tranche 3 Tracking Layer contract was 58 percent larger than any previous Rocket Lab contract.
Rocket Lab intends to scale production and introduce efficiencies to Mynaric’s manufacturing capability.
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has approved Rocket Lab’s acquisition of Mynaric.
Rocket Lab’s prime contracts with the Space Development Agency are worth $1.3 billion and cover 36 satellites across the Transport Layer-Beta Tranche 2 and Tracking Layer Tranche 3 programs.
Rocket Lab expects the Mynaric acquisition to improve customers’ confidence that terminals will be delivered on schedule and on budget.
Rocket Lab already uses Mynaric as a subcontractor for CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals.
Mynaric’s Munich headquarters will give Rocket Lab its first European footprint.
Rocket Lab intends to make laser communications available at scale for satellite constellations.
Rocket Lab expects the Mynaric acquisition to strengthen its capabilities as a launch provider, spacecraft manufacturer, and supplier of satellite components at scale.
Significant delays in the Epsilon-S program following multiple test-firing failures led JAXA to reassign the Kakushin Rising mission to Rocket Lab’s Electron.
Rocket Lab had accumulated approximately $1.3 billion in defense contracts.
Rocket Lab trades at approximately 15x to 20x forward revenue.
Rocket Lab Europe is intended to qualify as a sovereign entity for major European Union and European Space Agency programs.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action granted FDI approval on March 30, 2026 for Rocket Lab to complete its acquisition of Mynaric AG.