Rocket Lab Clears Critical Design Review for Space Force VICTUS HAZE Mission

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the U.S. Space Force's VICTUS HAZE mission, a $32M Tactically Responsive Space program. The mission will demonstrate responsive space capabilities using the company's Pioneer spacecraft, launched via their Electron rocket from New Zealand.

The project aims to showcase three key capabilities: launch readiness within 24 hours' notice, rendezvous and proximity operations for tracking target objects, and the ability to identify on-orbit threats. The successful CDR completion marks the transition to production phase, with launch scheduled for later this year.

Rocket Lab will handle all aspects of the mission, from spacecraft design and production to launch and operations, leveraging their end-to-end space solutions to respond quickly to potential orbital threats.

Positive

• Secured $32M contract with U.S. Space Force
• Successfully completed Critical Design Review, advancing to production phase
• Demonstrates full vertical integration capabilities (spacecraft design, production, launch, and operations)
• Strengthens position in national security space sector

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Technology Analyst

The successful Critical Design Review (CDR) for the $32M VICTUS HAZE mission marks a pivotal advancement in Rocket Lab's defense capabilities portfolio. This milestone is particularly significant as it validates the company's unique position in offering complete space solutions - from spacecraft design to launch and operations - all under one roof.

The mission's requirements for 24-hour launch readiness and advanced rendezvous capabilities represent a strategic differentiator in the rapidly evolving military space sector. Few companies can match this level of vertical integration and rapid response capability, positioning Rocket Lab advantageously for future defense contracts. The ability to conduct rendezvous and proximity operations is a highly sophisticated capability that typically commands premium pricing in the defense sector.

Three key strategic implications emerge from this development:

• The CDR completion transitions the project to production phase, indicating near-term revenue recognition
• The demonstration of tactical responsiveness capabilities could lead to larger defense contracts, as rapid space access becomes increasingly important for national security
• The end-to-end solution approach reduces integration risks and timeline uncertainties, making Rocket Lab more competitive in future defense bids

This mission effectively showcases Rocket Lab's evolution from a pure launch provider to a comprehensive space solutions company. The combination of their proven Electron launch vehicle, Pioneer spacecraft platform, and integrated operations capabilities creates a compelling value proposition for defense customers requiring rapid, reliable space access.

The program will demonstrate Rocket Lab’s tactically responsive space capabilities using the Company’s end-to-end solutions for spacecraft design, production, launch, and operations.

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab National Security LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the successful completion of its Critical Design Review (CDR) for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission, VICTUS HAZE.

Artist’s illustration of Rocket Lab’s spacecraft for the U.S. Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Space mission, VICTUS HAZE. Credit: Rocket Lab

In April 2024, Rocket Lab announced its selection for the $32M U.S. Space Force SSC mission led by Space Safari in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to design, build, license, launch and operate a rendezvous and proximity operations-capable spacecraft. Rocket Lab will configure its vertically integrated Pioneer spacecraft to meet the unique requirements of the VICTUS HAZE mission and launch it on the Company’s Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.

The VICTUS HAZE mission will demonstrate responsive space capabilities (launch readiness within 24 hours’ notice), rendezvous and proximity operations (ability to track and reach a target object) and the ability to identify and characterize on-orbit threats. The mission leverages the Company’s end-to-end space solutions to quickly respond to potential threats in orbit.

The CDR milestone is the final step in demonstrating spacecraft design, assembly, integration, test and operational plans are aligned with mission requirements and programmatic constraints.

“The ability to build a spacecraft, launch it, and operate it all in-house, on a tactically responsive timeline, is incredibly rare, but with our extensive launch heritage and deep vertical integration across space systems, we’re ideally suited to make this mission a success,” remarked Brad Clevenger, President and CEO of Rocket Lab National Security. “VICTUS HAZE solidifies Rocket Lab as a trusted and highly capable, end-to-end space company that can enable complex missions to serve the needs of the nation.”

The successful completion of CDR marks the transition to the production phase of the program, which will encompass integration of the spacecraft and launch vehicle and initiation of ground segment preparations for launch later this year.

+ About Rocket Lab

Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of spacecraft platforms, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft platforms have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

+ Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250224810776/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Lindsay McLaurin

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc

FAQ

What is the value of Rocket Lab's VICTUS HAZE contract with Space Force?

The VICTUS HAZE mission contract with U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command is valued at $32 million.

When will RKLB launch the VICTUS HAZE mission?

The VICTUS HAZE mission is scheduled for launch later in 2024 from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.

What capabilities will RKLB demonstrate in the VICTUS HAZE mission?

The mission will demonstrate launch readiness within 24 hours' notice, rendezvous and proximity operations capabilities, and the ability to identify and characterize on-orbit threats.

Which spacecraft will RKLB use for the VICTUS HAZE mission?

Rocket Lab will use a configured version of their Pioneer spacecraft for the VICTUS HAZE mission.

What milestone did RKLB achieve for the VICTUS HAZE program?

Rocket Lab successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR), allowing the program to transition to the production phase.