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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 has been selected by HawkEye 360 to launch three Electron missions, marking its first launch from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia. The contract will deploy 15 satellites to low Earth orbit between late 2022 and 2024. The initial mission is expected to occur by December 2022. This collaboration aligns with Rocket Lab's vertical integration strategy, enhancing its launch capabilities and operational flexibility.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) will report its Q1 2022 financial results on May 16, 2022, after U.S. markets close. A conference call will follow at 1:30 PM PT to discuss these results and provide a financial outlook. Rocket Lab is recognized for its reliable launch services and innovative space systems, having launched 112 satellites since its first orbital launch in January 2018. The company develops the Electron launch vehicle and Photon satellite platform, with plans for the new Neutron vehicle.
Rocket Lab has initiated the construction of a new Neutron Production Complex in Wallops Island, Virginia, aimed at producing its next-generation Neutron launch vehicle. The facility spans 250,000 square feet on a 28-acre site and is projected to create up to 250 high-skilled jobs in the region. It will coexist with a new launch pad for Neutron, enhancing the company’s capabilities in the civil, commercial, and national security space markets. The Commonwealth of Virginia has committed $30 million for infrastructure improvements to support this project.
Rocket Lab USA has appointed Arjun Kampani as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, effective April 11, 2022. Kampani joins from Aerojet Rocketdyne, bringing nearly two decades of aerospace experience. His responsibilities will encompass leading legal, governance, ethics, and compliance aspects of the company. Rocket Lab's ongoing expansion as an end-to-end space company positions Kampani to play a crucial role in its growth, particularly as the company scales its launch cadence and develops new technologies.
Rocket Lab has announced its first attempt to capture an Electron rocket mid-air using a helicopter during the upcoming "There and Back Again" mission. Scheduled for April 19, 2022, this launch will deploy 34 payloads, marking Rocket Lab's 26th Electron mission and bringing the total number of satellites launched to 146. The Sikorsky S-92 helicopter will attempt a complex recovery operation to secure the rocket stage as it returns to Earth, representing a significant step towards making Electron a reusable small launch vehicle.
Rocket Lab USA has successfully launched two BlackSky satellites, enhancing its role in the geospatial intelligence sector. This lift-off marks Rocket Lab's 25th launch from its New Zealand base, increasing its total satellite deployments to 112. The new satellites will support BlackSky's Earth-imaging capabilities, enabling timely data delivery to various industries. This mission exemplifies Rocket Lab's commitment to provide dedicated launch services, with plans for more BlackSky launches later this year.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) announced a launch window opening on April 1, 2022, for its Electron mission carrying two BlackSky (BKSY) satellites. This mission will enable Rocket Lab to recognize related revenue in its fiscal Q2 2022, leading to an updated Q1 2022 revenue outlook of approximately $40 million, down from an earlier range of $42 million to $47 million. The launch, Rocket Lab's 25th, will expand BlackSky's constellation to 14 satellites. Rocket Lab will not attempt to recover the Electron rocket for this mission.
Rocket Lab has announced the launch of three demonstration satellites for E-Space, a move aimed at validating the technology behind its secure satellite communication network. The satellites will be launched on Rocket Lab's Electron vehicle from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula, expected in Q2 2022. E-Space's goal is to drastically reduce the time required for satellite constellation deployment, enabling quicker access to space-based services for governments and businesses. Rocket Lab emphasizes innovation and affordability in supporting this mission, aligning with its operational strengths.
Rocket Lab USA has announced that its next-generation IMM-β solar cells, developed by SolAero Technologies, are moving into qualification with an expected conversion efficiency of ~33.3%. This advancement marks the fourth generation of the Inverted MetaMorphic technology, improving efficiency from the previous IMM-α cells. The IMM-β cells are lightweight, radiation-hard, and poised for commercial deployment later in 2022, supporting various applications in civil, military, and commercial sectors.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) successfully launched the StriX-β satellite for Synspective on February 28, 2022, marking its 24th Electron launch. This mission, titled “The Owl’s Night Continues,” increases the total satellite deployments by Rocket Lab to 110. It also utilized the new Pad B at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, enhancing launch frequency. The SAR satellite contributes to Synspective's goal of developing a 30-satellite constellation for Earth monitoring. Future missions for Synspective are planned in 2022 and 2023.
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