Rocket Lab

Space systems dominate Rocket Lab revenue
Rocket Lab, the company best known for its Electron small launch vehicle, generated most of its first quarter revenue from other space systems and not launch itself.

CAPSTONE up next for Rocket Lab
A NASA lunar cubesat mission is now scheduled to launch in late May on a Rocket Lab Electron after resolving issues with the rocket’s kick stage.

Rocket Lab launches smallsats, catches but drops booster
Rocket Lab declared success in its effort to catch an Electron booster in midair after launch May 2, even though the helicopter had to release the booster moments later.

Rocket Lab to launch HawkEye 360 satellites on first Wallops Electron mission
The long-delayed first launch of a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Virginia is now scheduled for late this year, carrying satellites for HawkEye 360.

BlackSky looks to expand its military business amid growing interest in commercial satellite imagery
Amid a surge in demand for satellite imagery, BlackSky is looking to expand its national security and defense business.

Rocket Lab launches BlackSky satellites as it prepares for mid-air booster recovery
A Rocket Lab Electron launched another pair of imaging satellites for BlackSky April 2 as the company gears up to attempt recovery of the rocket’s first stage.

E-Space taps Rocket Lab to launch three demo sats by July
Rwanda-backed megaconstellation startup E-Space said March 21 it has contracted Rocket Lab to launch three demo satellites in the second quarter of this year.

Rocket Lab launches Electron rocket, selects Virginia for Neutron factory
Rocket Lab carried out its first Electron launch of the year Feb. 28, placing a Japanese radar imaging satellite into orbit at the same time the company released its financial results and selected Virginia for a rocket factory.

Globalstar selects MDA and Rocket Lab for new satellites
Globalstar has selected MDA Ltd. and Rocket Lab to supply a set of satellites to replenish its constellation, funded by a mystery customer.

CAPSTONE lunar cubesat mission to launch this spring
A cubesat mission to test a lunar orbit critical to NASA’s Artemis program is in the final stages of preparations for a launch this spring.

Rocket Lab expands Colorado facilities, prepares for busy launch year
Rocket Lab will expand facilities in Colorado it obtained from a corporate acquisition last year as the company gears up for the first launch in a “crazy busy” year.

NASA selects a dozen companies for smallsat launch services
NASA awarded contracts Jan. 26 to a dozen companies, ranging from industry stalwarts to startups yet to launch their first rocket, to provide low-cost launches of agency smallsats.

Space SPACs look to rebound in 2022
Space companies used mergers with special purpose acquisition corporations, or SPACs, to grow their businesses in 2021, but many shareholders were left underwater at the end of the year.

Rocket Lab to acquire SolAero Holdings
Rocket Lab announced Dec. 13 that it is acquiring solar power system manufacturer SolAero Holdings, the latest in a series of acquisitions by Rocket Lab of component developers.

Rocket Lab launches two BlackSky satellites, wins Synspective contract
Rocket Lab launched another pair of BlackSky satellites Dec. 8, a day after the company won a contract from a Japanese firm for three launches of radar imaging satellites.

Rocket Lab updates Neutron design
Rocket Lab released new details Dec. 2 of the design of its Neutron medium-class rocket, a vehicle with a unique design the company says is intended to enable frequent and low-cost reuse.

Rocket Lab ready to attempt midair recovery of Electron booster
Rocket Lab says it’s ready to move to the next step in its efforts to recover and reuse Electron first stages by attempting to catch a booster in midair on an upcoming launch.

Interest in SPAC mergers declining
While SPAC mergers dominated the space industry for much of the year, one expert sees warning signs of waning interest in this way of taking companies public.

Rocket Lab launches BlackSky satellites
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket placed two BlackSky imaging satellites into orbit Nov. 17 on the rocket’s first launch in three and a half months.

Rocket Lab to acquire Planetary Systems Corp.
Rocket Lab announced Nov. 15 that it is acquiring Planetary Systems Corporation (PSC), a manufacturer of satellite separation systems, in the second such deal by Rocket Lab in as many months.