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Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) is pioneering the way in opening access to space to enhance life on Earth. As an orbital launch provider, Rocket Lab delivers rapid and reliable access to orbit for small satellites. The company’s core business involves the design, manufacture, and deployment of the Electron rocket—the world's first fully carbon composite orbital launch vehicle, powered by 3D printed, electric pump-fed engines.
Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Rocket Lab also operates a launch complex in Mahia, New Zealand, which is the world’s only private orbital launch range. This facility, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, is licensed to launch every 72 hours, allowing Rocket Lab to maintain an unprecedented launch cadence.
Since January 21, 2018, when Rocket Lab successfully reached orbit with the Electron vehicle and deployed its first commercial payloads, the company has made significant strides in eliminating barriers to commercial space access. This milestone marked the beginning of a new era of space exploration and accessibility.
Rocket Lab is engaged in two main segments: Launch Services and Space Systems. The Electron and Neutron launch vehicles, along with the Photon satellite platform, are key products enabling a wide range of operations including national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications.
The company's end-to-end mission services cater to civil, defense, and commercial markets worldwide, including major revenue contributions from the United States. Geographically, Rocket Lab serves clients in Japan, Germany, and other international markets.
Recent developments and partnerships continue to bolster Rocket Lab’s market position. With a focus on innovation and reliability, Rocket Lab is continually expanding the frontiers of space exploration.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has secured a contract with German company OroraTech for a dedicated Electron mission to launch eight satellites into a 550km orbit. The launch, scheduled from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, will be completed within four months of contract signing to meet season-sensitive wildfire detection requirements.
OroraTech is developing a constellation equipped with thermal infrared cameras for 24/7 global wildfire monitoring. This mission will deploy their OTC-P1 satellite plane, expanding their capabilities for first responders, governments, and industry partners. The company aims to expand to 100 satellites by 2028.
This mission adds to Rocket Lab's 2025 launch manifest, which includes ongoing contracts with Synspective, Kineis, and BlackSky, a U.S. Space Force responsive mission, and the debut launch of their new Neutron rocket.
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has scheduled its first mission of 2025, the 'IOT 4 You and Me' launch, for February 4th NZDT from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. This mission marks the fourth of five dedicated Electron launches for French IoT constellation operator Kinéis under a multi-launch contract to deploy 25 IoT satellites.
The company successfully completed three previous launches for Kinéis in June, September, and November 2024, deploying 15 satellites. This upcoming launch will be Rocket Lab's 59th Electron mission overall. The company aims to exceed its 2024 record of 16 launches across Electron and HASTE platforms in 2025.
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has successfully deployed its second Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries' W-2 mission, which launched on January 14 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The spacecraft is supporting payloads for the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA, including a spectrometer and an expanded pharmaceutical reactor.
The mission follows Rocket Lab's first successful Varda mission, which completed the world's first orbital manufacturing outside the International Space Station. The Pioneer spacecraft provides critical functions for Varda's 120kg capsule, including power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control. After orbital processing, the spacecraft will guide Varda's capsule for deorbit and recovery at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.
This marks the second of four spacecraft ordered by Varda, with the third spacecraft already completed and awaiting launch. The Pioneer spacecraft was built at Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Production Complex in Long Beach, California, integrating various company-developed components and systems.
Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB), a leading space services company, has announced its participation in six major financial conferences during Q1 2025. The company's senior executives will represent RKLB at prestigious events including:
- 27th Needham Growth Conference (New York, January 14)
- TD Cowen 46th Annual Aerospace & Defense Conference (Washington D.C., February 12)
- Citi's 2025 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference (Miami, February 18)
- Citizens JMP Technology Conference (San Francisco, March 3)
- KeyBanc Emerging Technology Summit (San Francisco, March 4)
- Bank of America Global Industrials Conference (London, March 18-20)
The presentations will be available for replay on the company's investor relations website. Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab has established itself as a comprehensive space company, operating the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually. The company has successfully deployed over 200 payloads and maintains three launch pads across New Zealand and Virginia.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has reached a mutual agreement with NASA to include Neutron launch services under their existing VADR (Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare) contract. The new medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron can deploy 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit and is designed for constellation deployment, national security missions, and science payloads.
Neutron's selection builds on previous awards, including an on-ramp to the United States Space Force's OSP-4 program with a $986m IDIQ contract. The rocket is also positioned for potential inclusion in the U.S. Government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Lane 1 program, valued at $5.6 billion over five years. The launch site at Wallops Island, Virginia, is nearing completion, with Neutron's debut launch scheduled for mid-2025.
Rocket Lab National Security has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta program. This milestone advances the $515 million contract awarded in early 2024 to deliver 18 advanced data transport satellites for the U.S. Department of Defense's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
The comprehensive PDR covered mission architecture, space vehicle design, launch operations, and ground systems. The satellites will utilize Rocket Lab's vertically integrated subsystems including solar panels, composite structures, star trackers, and other components. The PWSA constellation is designed to provide secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities in low-Earth orbit.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has been selected as part of a Kratos-led team for a five-year OTA contract under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 program. The total potential contract value is $1.45 billion over five years.
The program, established by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, aims to create an affordable flight test bed for hypersonic testing. Rocket Lab will provide systems engineering, assembly, integration, test services, mission planning, and launch services using their HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) rocket.
HASTE, a modified version of the Electron rocket, features carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed engines, with an increased payload capacity of up to 700 kg. The launches will be conducted from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, Virginia.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) successfully completed its 16th launch of 2024, deploying a satellite for Japanese Earth-observation company Synspective from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. This mission, dubbed 'Owl The Way Up,' marks the sixth launch for Synspective out of 16 total launches booked on Electron.
The company achieved a significant 60% increase in launch cadence year-over-year, up from 10 missions in 2023, while maintaining a 100% mission success rate throughout 2024. Notable achievements included missions for NASA, the NRO, commercial constellation deployments, and a world-first launch of two missions from different hemispheres within 24 hours.
The StriX satellite deployment continues Rocket Lab's role as Synspective's sole launch provider since December 2020. The next Electron launch is scheduled for Q1 2025.
Rocket Lab has delivered its second Pioneer spacecraft to Vandenberg Space Force Base and completed the third for Varda Space Industries. The two spacecraft are part of a four-vehicle contract aimed at revolutionizing commercial manufacturing in space. Built at Rocket Lab’s Spacecraft Production Complex, the Pioneer platform supports Varda’s reentry capsule, enabling microgravity operations. The first Pioneer spacecraft launched in 2023 and successfully deorbited in February 2024, growing crystals of the HIV/AIDS drug ritonavir.
The second mission is scheduled for Q1 2025, with reentry over Australia. Rocket Lab’s rapid production of the third spacecraft demonstrates its vertical integration strategy and scaling of satellite production. CEO Peter Beck highlights Rocket Lab’s growing end-to-end space capabilities, while Varda CEO Will Bruey anticipates frequent reentries. Rocket Lab’s capabilities include launch services, satellite manufacture, and on-orbit management, supporting various missions including NASA’s Moon and Mars missions.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) successfully completed a suborbital mission in November testing hypersonic technology for the Department of Defense. The mission was part of the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) project, awarded by Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane through S2MARTS.
The company deployed new cutting-edge technologies optimized for hypersonic tests with increased payload capacity, while also designing, manufacturing, and integrating the experimental hypersonic instrumentation. Since 2017, Rocket Lab has launched over 200 payloads from its U.S. and New Zealand sites, with their Electron rocket becoming the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually.
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