Rocket Lab

Public (NASDAQ: RKLB)Founded 2006Long Beach, California

CEO

Peter Beck

Overview

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, spacecraft, satellite components, and on-orbit management. Its Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket and has delivered over 190 satellites to orbit. The company is developing Neutron, a larger reusable rocket designed for mega-constellation deployment, interplanetary missions, and human spaceflight.

Operations & Revenue

StatusOperational

Fully operational since 2018. Revenue from launch services, spacecraft manufacturing, and satellite components.

Revenue Streams

Electron Launch Services

Dedicated and rideshare small-sat launches — 55+ missions completed with a regular monthly cadence.

Space Systems

Spacecraft manufacturing, satellite components (solar cells, reaction wheels, star trackers), and mission management — majority of revenue.

HASTE Defense Contracts

Suborbital hypersonic test launches for the U.S. Department of Defense and defense research agencies.

Key Metrics

Employees

2,600+

Est. Annual Revenue

~$436M (2025)

Total Funding

$1B+

Market Cap

~$40B (2026)

Total Launches

80+

Main Products

Electron

Active

Small-lift, two-stage orbital launch vehicle. Second most frequently launched U.S. rocket.

Operational since 2018 — 55+ missions completed, regular monthly launch cadence from New Zealand and Virginia.

Neutron

In Development

Medium-lift reusable rocket under development for mega-constellation deployment and human spaceflight.

First launch targeted 2025–2026 — designed for mega-constellation deployment, interplanetary missions, and human spaceflight.

Photon

Active

Versatile satellite bus and spacecraft platform for missions to the Moon and beyond.

Multiple missions completed including NASA CAPSTONE lunar pathfinder mission in 2022.

HASTE

Active

Suborbital launch vehicle derived from Electron, designed for hypersonic testing and defense applications.

Operational suborbital platform — multiple missions completed for U.S. defense hypersonic testing programs.

Timeline

2006Founded

Peter Beck founds Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand.

2017First Electron launch

Electron's maiden flight "It's a Test" from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

2018First commercial mission

Electron reaches orbit on its second flight, "Still Testing," carrying commercial payloads.

2019Monthly launches begin

Rocket Lab achieves a regular cadence of monthly Electron launches.

2021Goes public via SPAC

Rocket Lab lists on NASDAQ under ticker RKLB via a SPAC merger.

2022Electron booster recovery

Successfully catches an Electron first stage mid-air with a helicopter.

2024Neutron development

Neutron medium-lift reusable rocket progresses toward first launch.

Funding

Round	Date	Amount	Investors	Source
Series A–E	2013–2018	$288M	Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC
SPAC merger	2021	$777M	Vector Capital, BlackRock, Neuberger Berman