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 is developing a larger rocket called Neutron that is expected to debut in 2025.
The Rocket Lab contract specifies operation of the satellites through 2030 with an option to operate the satellites through 2033.
The $515,000,000 Rocket Lab contract includes a base amount of $489,000,000 and incentives and options worth $26,000,000.
Rocket Lab launched its first Photon satellite in 2020.
Rocket Lab secured a contract valued at $515,000,000 to design, manufacture, deliver, and operate 18 space vehicles for a U.S. government agency.
The separation systems Rocket Lab won contracts for in 2022 are interfaces that attach satellites to rockets and release them in space once the rocket reaches its intended orbit.
SpaceX conducted more than nine times as many launches in 2023 as Rocket Lab, which completed its tenth Electron launch of 2023.
Rocket Lab successfully launched its 42nd Electron rocket and deployed a satellite for the Japan-based Earth imaging company the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS).
The mission, named The Moon God Awakens, launched from Pad B at Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 17:05 NZDT / 04:05 UTC on 2023-12-15.
Rocket Lab exceeded its prior annual record of nine Electron launches by reaching ten launches 2023.
The 2023-12-14 launch was Rocket Lab’s first Electron flight since a 2023-09-19 failure during a launch for Capella Space.
Rocket Lab expected to perform two Electron launches through the end of the year but postponed the Dec. launch from late November to complete preparations including a wet dress rehearsal test.
The QPS-SAR-5 launch was delayed by Rocket Lab’s earlier Electron upper-stage failure.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. launched its 42nd Electron rocket on 2023-12-15.
iQPS signed a contract with Rocket Lab in August to launch QPS-SAR-5 after Virgin Orbit’s bankruptcy.
The 2023-12-14 mission was the tenth Electron flight for Rocket Lab 2023, including one launch of a suborbital Electron variant called HASTE.
Rocket Lab did not announce the schedule for its next Electron launch following the 2023-12-14 mission.
Rocket Lab successfully launched the QPS-SAR-5 (Tsukuyomi-1) radar imaging satellite for Japanese company iQPS on an Electron rocket.
Rocket Lab operates Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
The QPS-SAR-5 satellite will use Rocket Lab’s Mark II Motorized Lightband (MLB) as its separation system.