Rocket Lab

The newcomer joins incumbents ULA and SpaceX on the Space Force’s launch vendor list.

Rocket Lab will provide 10 Electron launches to deploy an Earth observation network for Japan’s Synspective, which is building an SAR constellation.

Rocket Lab has signed a preliminary memorandum of terms with the Department of Commerce for up to $23.9 million in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act.

The Electron's launch was followed 53 min. later by deployment of "Prefire and Ice" into a 326-mi.-high orbit.

The launch of NASA’s second Prefire Earth science mission small satellite has been rescheduled due to an off-nominal liquid oxygen propellant detection.

Prefire joins more than two dozen current NASA Earth Science missions focused on studies of the planet’s oceans, ice, vegetation, atmosphere and landforms.

Liftoff of the Rocket Lab Electron rocket with the initial spacecraft from New Zealand is planned for 3:15 a.m. EDT, following the weather delay from May 22.

The first of the two Prefire satellites is planned for launch on May 22.

The first launch of Rocket Lab’s proposed medium-lift Neutron is slipping to no earlier than mid-2025 due to development of its Archimedes engine.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Rocket Lab and its partner, True Anomaly, will conduct rendezvous and proximity operations as part of the demonstration.

The recovery is a milestone in the company’s efforts to step up its launch cadence by reusing first-stage boosters.

Rocket Lab USA will launch a group of experimental payloads to very low earth orbit (VLEO) in April 2026.

The Pentagon on April 2 revealed its long-awaited strategy for integrating commercial space capabilities into national defense operations.

The agency’s disruptive approach to space acquisition has produced many contracts in a tight timeline, though its biggest tests are yet to come.

Astra Space and Terran Orbital are the latest public space startups to bow out.

Astra Space will go private by accepting a recently lowered buyout bid from its co-founders and top executives.

The flight demonstration is one of six with NASA backing.

Varda Space Industries’ reentry capsule has received permission from the FAA to leave orbit, pass through the atmosphere and land back on terra firma.

Rocket Lab has been awarded a $489 million contract to design, build and operate 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta Data Transport Satellites for the SDA.

A record 223 orbital-class rockets lifted off last year, a 20% hike over 2022.

Rocket Lab has received a $489 million contract to design, build and operate 18 space vehicles on behalf of an undisclosed U.S. government customer.

As the first U.S. hypersonic weapons enter service, defense officials are searching for new ideas for high-speed propulsion and to dramatically reduce prices.

Rocket Lab’s 42nd launch of a two-stage Electron booster lifted off from the company’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 11:05 p.m. EST Dec. 14.

Launcher manufacturer Rocket Lab is taking over the historic Middle River, Maryland, factory that Lockheed Martin is exiting.