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Rocket Lab

US
commercialFounded 2006
www.rocketlabusa.com
Admin Edit

All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

Rocket Lab has an existing $515 million contract to deliver 18 satellites for SDA’s Transport Layer-Beta Tranche 2 program.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabOrg RelationshipJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

Rocket Lab delivered a mass-to-orbit of 1,333.3 kg with 72.2% of their launches having known mass.

Mentioned as: rocket labTechnical ProductJan 5, 2026RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Final 2025 Mass-To-Orbit Numbers: @SpaceX once again dominated the game with 2,413 tonnes of known payload delivered - 1.6x their 2024 record, and 34.8x 2nd place, @ULAlaunch. This is equivalent to ~400 male African bush elephants, or ~20 Blue whales. Full numbers below: Mass-to-orbit | % of launches w/ Known Mass @SpaceX | 2,412,740.3kg | 86.6%* @ULAlaunch | 69,338.0kg | 100% CASC | 48,120.0kg | 11.3%* @Roscosmos | 28,690.0kg | 66.7%* @MHI_Group | 23,500.0kg | 100% @Arianespace | 15,606.0kg | 100% @ISRO | 15,553.0kg | 100% VKS RF | 1,350.0kg | 25%* @RocketLab | 1,333.3kg | 72.2%* @KARI2030 | 500.0kg | 100% @ILAerospaceIAI | 260.0kg | 100% @IsarAerospace | 0.0kg | 100% Galactic Energy | 0.0kg | 16.7% @LandSpace_Tech | 0.0kg | 33.3% @GilmourSpace | 0.0kg | 100% Orienspace | 0.0kg | 100% @InnospaceCorp | 0.0kg | 100% -0% reported club- Chinarocket | 0.0kg | 0% @NorthropGrumman | 0.0kg | 0% @CAS_Space | 0.0kg | 0% iSpace | 0.0kg | 0% ExPace | 0.0kg | 0% *Note that payload mass is not always reported for each launch. This could be for a variety of reasons, such as national security or proprietary information concerns. For example, it is extremely likely CASC launched more mass than ULA, but they just haven't reported it.

All major components for the satellites are designed and produced in-house by Rocket Lab.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabNarrative GeneralJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

The satellites will be equipped with Rocket Lab’s advanced StarLite space protection sensors to safeguard against directed energy threats.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabNarrative GeneralJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

The contract awarded to Rocket Lab is valued at $816 million and is its largest single contract to date.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabNarrative FinancialJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

Rocket Lab’s growing role highlights its emergence as a competitor to legacy aerospace primes.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabNarrative GeneralJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

In addition to the prime contract, Rocket Lab has opportunities for additional subsystems that could increase total capture value to approximately $1 billion.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabNarrative FinancialJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

Rocket Lab’s satellites will be built on its Lightning platform, utilizing vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabTechnical ProductJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

Rocket Lab will deliver satellites equipped with advanced missile warning, tracking, and defense sensors for global missile threat detection.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabNarrative GeneralJan 5, 2026U.S. Space Force Selects Rocket Lab as Missile Defense Satellite Prime Contractor

Rocket Lab has a facility in Middle River, Maryland.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabTechnical ProductJan 4, 2026RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Filling in ;-) for @spacepat_o today made the drive down to @RocketLab facility in Middle River, Maryland. As you can see the work continues even in the bitter cold outside. @NASASpaceflight  $rklb

Work is ongoing at the Rocket Lab facility in Middle River, Maryland despite cold weather.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabTechnical ProductJan 4, 2026RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Filling in ;-) for @spacepat_o today made the drive down to @RocketLab facility in Middle River, Maryland. As you can see the work continues even in the bitter cold outside. @NASASpaceflight  $rklb

Rocket Lab USA of Long Beach, California received an agreement to deliver 18 missile warning, tracking, and defense satellites valued at about $805 million.

Mentioned as: rocket lab usaTechnical ProductJan 3, 2026SDA expands Tracking Layer satellite awards and related missile defense contracts

Part of Neutron's first stage has been moved into public view at Rocket Lab's facility in Middle River, Maryland.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabTechnical ProductJan 3, 2026RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: After 24+ hours, the hardware is still upright and attached to the crane. It appears to have been rotated. Work is continuing at its base.

Part of Neutron's first stage has been moved to Rocket Lab's facility in Middle River, Maryland for public display.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabTechnical ProductJan 2, 2026RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Behold! What looks to be part of Neutron's first stage has been moved into the public eye for the first time at @RocketLab's facility in Middle River, Maryland! @NASASpaceflight $rklb

Rocket Lab has a facility located in Middle River.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabTechnical ProductJan 1, 2026RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Is something brewing at Rocket Lab's Middle River facility? I stopped by earlier today... 1/2 @NASASpaceflight $RKLB

The contracts were signed with Lockheed Martin, Rocket Lab, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies, with each company contracted to deliver and operate 18 spacecraft.

Mentioned as: rocket labOrg RelationshipDec 30, 2025EEUU invierte 3.500 millones de dólares en una constelación de 72 satélites antimisiles

Rocket Lab will build its satellites on the Lightning platform at its Long Beach facility.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabTechnical ProductDec 28, 2025SDA Awards $1.6 Billion in Tranche 3 Tracking Layer Contracts to Rocket Lab and Northrop Grumman

The $805 million award to Rocket Lab represents the largest single contract in the company’s history.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabNarrative FinancialDec 28, 2025SDA Awards $1.6 Billion in Tranche 3 Tracking Layer Contracts to Rocket Lab and Northrop Grumman

Rocket Lab USA will receive $805 million under the contracts to deliver 18 space vehicles.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabOrg RelationshipDec 28, 2025SDA Awards $1.6 Billion in Tranche 3 Tracking Layer Contracts to Rocket Lab and Northrop Grumman

On December 19, 2025, the Space Development Agency awarded two agreements totaling $1.6 billion to Rocket Lab and Northrop Grumman to build and operate 36 satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

Mentioned as: Rocket LabOrg RelationshipDec 28, 2025SDA Awards $1.6 Billion in Tranche 3 Tracking Layer Contracts to Rocket Lab and Northrop Grumman
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