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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Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has delivered more than 180 satellites to orbit.
Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment.
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 expects Neutron’s first launch to take place no earlier than mid-2025.
Rocket Lab completed the first Archimedes engine and installed it on a test stand at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi on 2024-05-06.
Rocket Lab reported $92,800,000 in revenue in the first quarter of 2024, a 69% increase over the first quarter of 2023.
Rocket Lab is constructing Launch Complex 3 at Wallops Island, Virginia for Neutron operations.
Parsons Corporation will supply NEBULA Operations – Vendor Architecture (NOVA) as Rocket Lab’s ground system to manage operations for its 18 SDA satellites.
Rocket Lab is the prime contractor on a $515,000,000 firm-fixed-price agreement to lead the design, development, production, test, and operations of 18 satellites for SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta (T2TL - Beta).
Rocket Lab is manufacturing 18 satellites for the Space Development Agency under a $515,000,000 contract.
Mynaric will supply the optical communications terminals for Rocket Lab’s Space Development Agency satellites.
Rocket Lab selected suppliers on 2024-05-06 to support production of 18 satellites for the U.S. military.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) completed selection of subcontractors to provide payloads and ground systems for the 18 satellites the company is developing for the Space Development Agency (SDA).
The satellite buses for the Space Development Agency will be a derivative of the satellite buses Rocket Lab is developing for Globalstar.
Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) has been contracted by Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) to provide antennas and RF hardware for Space Development Agency Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta variant satellites.
The 18 satellites being developed by Rocket Lab will integrate in-house subsystems and components including solar panels, structures, star trackers, reaction wheels, radio, flight software, avionics, and launch dispensers.
NASA’s ACS3 satellite launched on Rocket Lab’s Electron vehicle on 2024-04-23.
Each of the two dedicated PREFIRE missions will deploy one satellite to a 525 km circular orbit from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.
Rocket Lab launched the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon on Electron and the spacecraft was deployed by a Rocket Lab Explorer spacecraft bus.
Rocket Lab USA is preparing two back-to-back Electron launches to deploy NASA’s PREFIRE mission.