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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) 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.
Rocket Lab, a global leader in launch services, announced a launch window for its upcoming Electron mission to deploy a satellite for Synspective. The mission, titled Owl The Way Up, is set to launch from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, with the window opening on December 18th NZDT (December 17 UTC). This will be the sixth of 16 planned launches for Synspective, a Japanese Earth observation company specializing in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.
Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for Synspective since December 2020, helping to build their SAR satellite constellation. The mission will place a single StriX satellite into orbit, enhancing Synspective's capabilities in disaster relief, agricultural development, and maritime domain awareness. Rocket Lab has surpassed its previous annual launch record with 14 missions in 2024, up from 10 in 2023.
Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) has secured a $23.9 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the CHIPS and Science Act to enhance its compound semiconductor manufacturing capabilities at its Albuquerque, New Mexico facility. The funding will boost production of space-grade solar cells and optoelectronic products important for national security and commercial applications. The facility, operating for 25 years, employs over 370 people and has supplied power to more than 1,100 satellites. Rocket Lab is one of only two U.S. companies specializing in radiation-hardened space-grade solar cells, supporting critical space programs including NASA missions and commercial satellites.
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) achieved a significant milestone by launching two missions in less than 24 hours from different hemispheres. The company's 56th Electron mission, 'Ice AIS Baby,' successfully deployed five satellites for French IoT constellation operator Kinéis to Low Earth Orbit. The launch from New Zealand occurred just 21 hours and 55 minutes after completing a mission from Virginia, setting a new company record for fastest launch turnaround. This mission marked Rocket Lab's 14th launch of 2024 and brought their total satellite deployment count to 203, reinforcing Electron's position as the leading small launch vehicle globally.
Rocket Lab has scheduled its next Electron launch, 'Ice AIS Baby', for Kinéis during a 14-day window starting November 23rd NZDT from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. This marks the third of five dedicated launches in a multi-launch contract to deploy Kinéis's 25-satellite IoT constellation. The first two missions were successfully completed in June and September 2024. The mission adds to Rocket Lab's record year, with 12 Electron launches already completed in 2024. Kinéis will launch a new satellite AIS service for global maritime domain in 2025.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has secured an $8 million federal defense contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to demonstrate digital engineering processes for its new Archimedes rocket engine. The contract supports the development of the reusable engine, which will power both stages of Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket, capable of delivering up to 13,000 kilograms of payload to low Earth orbit. This initiative aims to enhance integration with the National Security Space Launch program while reducing costs and risks. The agreement complements existing Department of Defense contracts, including a $24.35 million contract with U.S. Space Force for Neutron's upper stage development.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has secured a multi-launch agreement with a confidential commercial satellite constellation operator for its new Neutron medium-lift rocket. The contract includes two dedicated missions starting from mid-2026, launching from Wallops Island, Virginia. The Neutron rocket can deploy 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit and is designed for constellation deployments, national security missions, and science payloads. The launch vehicle is positioned to compete in a $10 billion market with over 10,000 satellites needing launch services by 2030. Neutron's 2025 debut also positions it for the U.S. Government's National Security Space Launch program, a $5.6 billion contract opportunity.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) reported strong Q3 2024 results with revenue growing 55% year-on-year to $105 million and a backlog of $1.05 billion. The company achieved a record 12 Electron launches year-to-date and signed $55 million in new launch contracts with a 67% price increase since debut. Notable developments include signing multiple Neutron launches with a commercial constellation customer and completing spacecraft for NASA's ESCAPADE Mars mission. For Q4 2024, Rocket Lab guides to record revenue of $125-$135 million, with expected GAAP Gross Margins of 26-28% and Adjusted EBITDA loss between $27-29 million.
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