Rocket Lab

APublic (NASDAQ: RKLB)Founded 2006🇺🇸Long Beach, California

CEO

Peter Beck

Overview

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company spanning launch, hypersonic test launch, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components for commercial, civil, and defense customers. Electron remains the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, Rocket Lab technology supports more than 1,700 missions globally, and the company is developing Neutron to expand into medium-lift constellation, national-security, and exploration missions. In Q1 2026, Rocket Lab posted record quarterly revenue of $200.3M, backlog above $2.2B, and signed five dedicated Neutron launches with a confidential customer.

Main Products

Electron

Active

Small-lift, two-stage orbital launch vehicle for dedicated and rideshare small-satellite missions.

Operational from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand and Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, with Rocket Lab's March 2026 ESA mission becoming the company's first dedicated launch for the European Space Agency.

Payload to LEO300 kg (660 lb)

Height18 m (59 ft)

Payloads Deployed250+

Launch Pads3 across 2 launch sites

Stages2 + Kick Stage

Neutron

In Development

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

First launch is now targeted for Q4 2026 after a stage 1 tank test failure; fairing and thrust-structure qualification milestones have already been completed.

Payload to LEO13,000 kg

Height43 m (141 ft)

Diameter7 m (23 ft)

ReusableYes (first stage)

EngineArchimedes (LOX/methane)

Target First LaunchQ4 2026

Photon

Active

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

Active as Rocket Lab's integrated launch-plus-spacecraft solution for civil, defense, and commercial missions, including NASA's CAPSTONE lunar pathfinder mission.

Missions Completed5+

Notable MissionNASA CAPSTONE (lunar)

Payload CapacityUp to 200 kg

PropulsionCurie engine (bi-propellant)

HASTE

Active

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

Operational hypersonic test platform from Wallops Island, Virginia. In March 2026 Rocket Lab signed a $190M, 20-flight MACH-TB 2.0 HASTE block-buy.

Payload Mass~700 kg / 1,540 lb

Payload Separation Velocity3 km/sec to 7.5+ km/sec

Launch SiteLaunch Complex 2, Wallops Island

Top SpeedMach 5+

Contracted Flights20 under MACH-TB 2.0

What's Next

Neutron first launch

Complete end-to-end testing and fly Neutron's maiden mission; Rocket Lab now targets Q4 2026 after the stage 1 tank test failure, with fairing and thrust-structure qualification already completed.

Q4 2026

Execute SDA satellite programs

Deliver the 18-spacecraft Tracking Layer Tranche 3 constellation for the Space Development Agency while scaling the broader spacecraft and component supply chain.

2026-2027

Convert backlog into higher launch cadence

Turn a 70+ launch backlog into higher Electron and HASTE flight tempo across constellation, agency, national-security, and hypersonic missions.

2026-2028

Operations & Revenue

StatusOperational

Operational across launch and space systems, with regular Electron and HASTE missions, record Q1 2026 revenue, backlog above $2.2B, and Neutron's first launch still targeted for Q4 2026 after new dedicated launch wins.

Revenue Streams

Electron Launch Services

Dedicated and rideshare small-satellite launches for commercial constellations, civil space agencies, and defense customers from New Zealand and Virginia.

HASTE Defense Launch Services

Hypersonic flight-test launches for U.S. and allied defense customers; Rocket Lab signed a $190M, 20-flight HASTE block-buy in March 2026.

Space Systems

Spacecraft manufacturing, satellite components, software, mission operations, and related systems including radios, reaction wheels, star trackers, solar products, and separation systems.

Optical Payloads & National Security Systems

Electro-optical and infrared payloads plus precision optomechanical hardware for missile warning, tracking, space domain awareness, and defense missions following the Geost and OSI acquisitions.

Key Metrics

Employees

2,600

Est. Annual Revenue

$200.3M in Q1 2026; $602M in FY2025

Market Cap

~$39B (Apr 2026)

Q1 2026 Revenue

$200.3M

Total Launches

85 missions

Launch Backlog

31 Electron/HASTE + 5 Neutron contracts signed in Q1; $2.2B+ total backlog

Payloads Deployed

250+

Timeline

2026Largest launch contract in company history

Rocket Lab signs a $190M block-buy for 20 HASTE hypersonic test flights, pushing total company backlog above $2B and launch backlog above 70 missions.

2026Record Q1 revenue and Neutron launch wins

Rocket Lab reports record Q1 revenue of $200.3M, backlog above $2.2B, 31 new Electron and HASTE contracts, and five dedicated Neutron launches for a confidential customer.

2025Record year and major SDA award

Rocket Lab flies a record 21 Electron and HASTE missions with 100% mission success in 2025 and wins an $816M prime contract to build 18 missile-warning and tracking satellites for the Space Development Agency.

2024Archimedes reaches hot-fire milestone

Rocket Lab successfully hot fires the reusable Archimedes engine, a major technical step toward Neutron's first flight.

2022Electron booster recovery

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

2021Goes public via SPAC

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

2018First commercial mission

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

2017First Electron launch

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

2006Founded

Peter Beck founds Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand.

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