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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The first PREFIRE mission, 'Ready, Aim, PREFIRE', launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 7:41 p.m. NZST on 2024-05-25.
Since its first orbital launch, Rocket Lab’s Electron has delivered more than 180 satellites to orbit.
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 a private commercial mission to Venus.
Rocket Lab’s Electron performed its first orbital launch in January 2018.
Rocket Lab launched the first of two NASA Earth science cubesats on an Electron rocket on 2024-05-25.
Rocket Lab expects it will likely fall short of 22 Electron launches in 2024 because customers are delaying delivery of spacecraft.
Rocket Lab’s Electron launch on 2024-05-25 was the company’s 48th Electron launch overall and its sixth launch of 2024.
NASA selected Rocket Lab to launch the PREFIRE spacecraft in August 2023 through a task order on the Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contract.
NASA will launch the first of two PREFIRE cubesats no earlier than 2024-05-22 on an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.
Rocket Lab’s 18 satellites are part of the Tranche 2 Transport Layer Beta Program, which features multiple space vehicle and mission configuration variants to provide global communications access and persistent regional encrypted connectivity in support of warfighter missions.
Rocket Lab selected CesiumAstro to provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array radio frequency communications payload for integration on 18 space vehicles supporting the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer.
Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) has a contract from Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) to provide antennas and RF hardware for the Space Development Agency Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta variant satellites.
Rocket Lab completed carbon composite flight structures for Neutron’s fairing panels, Stage 1 and Stage 2 tanks, and the reusable Stage 1 structure.
Rocket Lab expects it is unlikely to complete all 22 projected Electron launches in 2024 because of customer schedule delays.
Rocket Lab recorded a net loss of $44,300,000 in the first quarter of 2024, compared with a net loss of $45,600,000 in the first quarter of 2023.
Rocket Lab has launched more than 470 Rutherford engines to space.
Rocket Lab previously planned a Neutron first launch around the end of 2024, a timeline affirmed during a February 2024 earnings call.
CesiumAstro was selected by Rocket Lab to provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array radio frequency communications payload for integration on 18 space vehicles supporting the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer.
Rocket Lab anticipates spending $250,000,000 to $300,000,000 on development of the Neutron launch vehicle.