Rocket Lab’s Commercial Solution to Mars Sample Return Rocket Lab 2025-03-11 | Mars Sample Return doesn’t have to take decades or break the bank.This animation showcases Rocket Lab’s proposed mission architecture to bring Martian samples to Earth.Learn more: rocketlabusa.com/missions/mars-sample-return
Neutron | Launch Complex 3 Rocket Lab 2025-06-18 | Shaun D'Mello - Vice President of Neutron - takes us through the progress of Neutron's launch site on Wallops Island, Virginia.
Rocket Lab - The Mountain God Guards Launch Rocket Lab 2025-06-11 | Mission Name: The Mountain God GuardsLaunch Date: 12 May 2025 NZTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, New ZealandCustomers: iQPSPayloads (Satellites) Launched: • YAMATSUMI-1‘The Mountain God Guards’ was the fourth launch on Electron for multi-launch customer, Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company.The mission launched a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite called QPS-SAR-11 (nicknamed YAMATSUMI-I for the Japanese god of mountains) to a 575km circular Earth orbit, from where the satellite will join the rest of the iQPS constellation in providing high resolution images and Earth monitoring services globally.More info: rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Uploads/F66-The-Mountain-God-Guards-Presskit-final-compressed.pdf
Rocket Lab - Full Stream Ahead Launch Rocket Lab 2025-06-03 | Mission Name: Full Stream AheadLaunch Date: 03 June 2025, NZTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, New ZealandCustomers: BlackSkyPayloads (Satellites) Launched: “Full Stream Ahead” launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on June 3rd, 2025 for constellation operator BlackSky.The mission launched the next of BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellites to a mid-inclination circular 470km orbit, where it joined the remainder of the company’s constellation delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics for daily intelligence operations.“Full Stream Ahead” was the second in a series of four Electron launches booked by BlackSky to deploy its Gen-3 satellites to orbit this year, and the tenth overall launch for the company – making Electron the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date.More info: rocketlabcorp.com/assets/Uploads/RL-F65-BlackSky-Full-Stream-Ahead-Presskit-compressed.pdf
Makers Of: Powering Re-entry with Rocket Lab’s Pioneer Spacecraft Rocket Lab 2025-05-19 | Go behind the scenes with the Rocket Lab team behind our Pioneer spacecraft. Designed, built, and integrated in Long Beach, California, Pioneer provides propulsion, communications, and attitude control to support Varda Space Industries' 120kg capsule on orbit and through precision re-entry. From concept to console, see how Rocket Lab powers the return of in-space manufacturing back to Earth.
Rocket Lab - The Sea God Sees Launch Rocket Lab 2025-05-17 | Mission Name: The Sea God SeesLaunch Date: 18 May 2025 NZTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, New ZealandCustomers: iQPSPayloads (Satellites) Launched: • WADATSUMI-1The mission deployed a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite called QPS-SAR-10 (nicknamed “WADATSUMI-I” for the Japanese god of the sea) to a 575km circular Earth orbit, from where the satellite will join the rest of the iQPS constellation in providing high resolution images and Earth monitoring services globally.The mission was the third overall Electron launch for iQPS and the second in a line-up of eight dedicated missions across 2025 and 2026 to deploy iQPS’s constellation. More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/F64-iQPS-Presskit-The-Sea-God-Sees.pdf
From Sci-Fi to Reality: Rocket Lab’s Pioneer Spacecraft Delivers In-Space Manufacturing Rocket Lab 2025-05-13 | Rocket Lab’s Pioneer spacecraft does more than just operate on orbit—it powers the future of in-space manufacturing. Supporting Varda Space Industries 120kg capsule with propulsion, communications, and attitude control, Pioneer executes a series of precision burns to return space-made manufacturing safely to Earth. Watch how we turn sci-fi into real-world re-entry.
Neutron | Stage 1 Qualification Rocket Lab 2025-05-09 | This Neutron assembly represents the top of Stage 1 and includes the hungry hippo reusable fairing, canards, and the extended interstage with some of the most complex mechanical systems that exist on the vehicle.
Rocket Lab | Meet HASTE Rocket Lab 2025-03-26 | High-cadence hypersonic flight test opportunities on a proven, reliable rocket: that's what HASTE delivers today with launches for our government partners from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia.
Rocket Lab - Finding Hot Wildfires Near You Launch Rocket Lab 2025-03-26 | Mission Name: Finding Hot Wildfires Near YouLaunch Date: 27 March 2025, 04:30 NZDTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1Customers: OroraTechPayloads (Satellites) Launched: • 8x OroraTech Constellation Phase 1 satellites deployed to expand OroraTech's constellation providing data from space to help tackle wildfire challenges globally.More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/F63-OroraTech-presskit.pdf
Rocket Lab - High Five Launch Rocket Lab 2025-03-18 | Mission Name: High FiveLaunch Date: 18 March 2025 NZDTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1Customers: KinéisPayloads (Satellites) Launched: • 5x Kinéis IoT Satellites.The "High Five" mission launched from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand to deploy five satellites for French IoT company Kinéis and complete the delivery of their entire constellation to orbit in less than a year.More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/Kineis-High-Five-Press-Kit.pdf
Rocket Lab | Neutrons Captive Fairing Explained Rocket Lab 2025-03-17 | If a jumbo jet doesn't throw away its doors every flight, why should we? Hear more from Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck on the mechanics and design philosophy behind Neutron's captive and reusable fairing, a.k.a. Hungry Hippo.
Rocket Lab - The Lightning God Reigns Launch Rocket Lab 2025-03-15 | Mission Name: The Lightning God ReignsLaunch Date: 15 March 2025 NZDTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1Customers: iQPSPayloads (Satellites) Launched: • QPS-SAR-9 - A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite to a 575km circular Earth orbit for iQPS, nicknamed “SUSANOO-I”.The spacecraft joined iQPS’ growing Earth-imaging constellation that delivers high-resolution monitoring from specific locations every 10 minutes. More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/F61-The-Lightning-God-Reigns-press-kit-final-.pdf
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 | The Worlds First Private Orbital Launch Site Rocket Lab 2025-02-19 | Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is the world's first private orbital launch site and the primary launch site for our Electron rocket. With two launch pads, a 24/7 launch operations team, and clear skies and sea around us, learn more about how Launch Complex 1 has been foundational to opening up access to space with Electron.
Rocket Lab - Fasten Your Space Belts Launch Rocket Lab 2025-02-19 | Mission Name: Fasten Your Space BeltsLaunch Date: 19 February 2025, NZDTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New ZealandCustomers: BlackskyPayloads (Satellites) Launched: ‘Fasten Your Space Belts’ was Rocket Lab’s first of multiple new missions for BlackSky. The mission introduced their newest 35cm high-resolution Gen-3 satellites to orbit, allowing them to greatly enhance and optimize their geospatial intelligence capabilities.Like earlier Black Sky launches on Electron, this mission was supported by a Rocket Lab manufactured Motorized Lightband; separation systems for the satellite to attach to and deploy from Electron once in space.'Fasten Your Space Belts' was the ninth launch for BlackSky since 2019, making Rocket Lab the most prolific launch provider for BlackSky’s constellation to date.More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-F60-BlackSky-Fasten-Your-Space-Belts.pdf
Sir Peter Beck | The State Of Space Rocket Lab 2025-02-11 | Sir Peter Beck spoke at the 2025 SmallSat Symposium held at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.Thanks to SatNews and SmallSat Symposium for having us!
Rocket Lab - IoT 4 U and Me Launch Rocket Lab 2025-02-08 | Mission Name: IoT 4 U & MeLaunch Date: 09 February 2025 NZDTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1Customers: KinéisPayloads (Satellites) Launched: • The “IOT 4 You and Me” mission launched on February 9th 2025, carrying five satellites for Kinéis.The launch took place from Rocket Lab’s private orbital launch site, Launch Complex 1, in New Zealand. It was the fourth of five dedicated Electron launches booked by Kinéis in a multi-launch contract that will see Rocket Lab deploy an entire constellation of 25 IoT satellites. The first three missions were successfully launched by Electron in June, September and November 2024.“IOT 4 You and Me” was Rocket Lab’s first launch of 2025, with the company expecting this year to exceed its record-breaking launch cadence of 16 launches across Electron and HASTE achieved in 2024.More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/IOT-4-You-and-Me-Press-Kit.pdf
Rocket Lab - Owl The Way Up Launch Rocket Lab 2024-12-21 | Mission Name: Owl The Way UpLaunch Date: 22 December 2024, NZDTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1Customers: SynspectivePayloads (Satellites) Launched: 1x StriX SatelliteThe “Owl The Way Up” mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand to deploy a single StriX satellite to orbit for Synspective. The mission was the sixth in a total of 16 launches booked on Electron for Synspective, a Japanese Earth observation company operating a constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites designed to deliver imagery that can detect millimetre-level changes to the Earth’s surface from space. Rocket Lab first launched for Synspective in December 2020 and has been the sole launch provider for Synspective’s constellation to date.More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/Owl-The-Way-Up-Press-Kit.pdf
Rocket Lab - Ice AIS Baby Launch Rocket Lab 2024-11-25 | Mission Name: 'Ice AIS BabyLaunch Date: 25 November 2024 NZDTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandCustomers: KinéisPayloads (Satellites) Launched: 5x Internet of Things Satellites The “Ice AIS Baby” mission launched successfully on November 25th 2024. Lift-off took place from Rocket Lab’s private orbital launch site, Launch Complex 1, in New Zealand. The mission was the third of five dedicated Electron launches booked by Kinéis in a multi-launch contract that will see Rocket Lab deploy an entire constellation of 25 IoT satellites. The first two missions were successfully launched by Electron in June and September 2024. More about Kinéis: kineis.com/en/spatial-iot-connectivityMore info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/Ice-AIS-Baby-Press-Kit2.pdf
Launch Your Career with Rocket Lab Rocket Lab 2024-11-06 | "You're never just a little gear in a giant machine. You get given huge responsibilities within the company. Don't expect 9-5, but do expect to have an actual meaningful impact on the world." Launch your career with Rocket Lab: rocketlabusa.com/careers
Rocket Lab - Change In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes Launch Rocket Lab 2024-11-05 | Mission Name: Change In Latitudes, Changes In AttitudesLaunch Date: 05 November 2024 UTCLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandCustomers: Commercial CustomerPayloads (Satellites) Launched: 1x Commercial SatelliteElectron's 54th mission, 'Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes', was a dedicated mission to low Earth orbit for a confidential commercial customer that launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on November 5th, 2024. The mission was Rocket Lab's 12th launch of 2024, increasing the record number of Electron launches achieved annually since orbital launch services began in 2018. Rocket Lab’s rapid call-up launch capability, its standardized and rapid production of Electron launch vehicles that ensures a rocket can be assigned a payload for on-demand launch within days, responsive launch sites, and its experienced team behind the second most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket, were key enablers for this mission.
Neutron | Archimedes Testing Continues at Stennis Rocket Lab 2024-09-28 | The Archimedes engine development and qualification campaign continues to progress well with lots of hot fires taking the engine through various operating conditions and tweaks.
Rocket Lab - Kinéis Killed The RadIOT Star Launch Rocket Lab 2024-09-21 | Mission Name: Kinéis Killed The RadIOT StarLaunch Date: 20 September, 2024 UTCLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandCustomers: KinéisPayloads (Satellites) Launched: 5x Kinéis SatellitesRocket Lab launched the “Kinéis Killed the RadIOT Star” mission from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 Pad A on 21st September, 2024. “Kinéis Killed the RadIOT Star” was the second of five dedicated Electron launches for Kinéis (the first mission, ‘No Time Toulouse,’ successfully launched on June 19, 2024). Across all five launches, Rocket Lab will deploy Kinéis’ complete constellation of 25 satellites. “Kinéis Killed the RadIOT Star” was Rocket Lab’s 53rd Electron launch and brought the total number of satellites launched by the company to 192.More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-F53-Kineis-Killed-the-RadIOT-Star-Press-Kit.pdf
Makers of: Mars Mission Rocket Lab 2024-08-30 | Learn more about the two identical spacecraft designed, built, integrated, and tested by Rocket Lab for the University of California Berkeley’s Space Science Laboratory and NASA's ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) mission.The ESCAPADE mission sets to further unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet, studying its unique hybrid magnetosphere.Learn more: rocketlabusa.com/missions/escapade
Rocket Lab | The Worlds Largest AFP Machine Of Its Kind Rocket Lab 2024-08-14 | When you're making the world's largest carbon composite rocket, you need the world's largest carbon composite rocket-building machine of its kind.Say hello to the newest addition in our automated production line: our 75-ton, custom-designed AFP machine that will produce all of Neutron's largest composite structures and save 150,000+ manufacturing hours in Neutron's production process.More info: rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-begins-installation-of-large-carbon-composite-rocket-building-machine
Rocket Lab - A Sky Full of SARs Launch Rocket Lab 2024-08-11 | Mission Name: A Sky Full of SARsLaunch Date: 11 August 2024 UTCLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandCustomers: Capella SpacePayloads (Satellites) Launched: Acadia-3Rocket Lab launched a dedicated mission for Capella Space, a provider of SAR imagery data and solutions for government and commercial applications.‘A Sky Full of SARs’ was Rocket Lab’s fifth launch overall for Capella Space across multiple launch contracts beginning from 2020. The mission deployed Capella’s Acadia-3 SAR satellite, a synthetic aperture radar satellite for Earth imagery and observation, to a mid-inclination 615km circular orbit to add to Capella’s existing SAR satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/FINAL-RL-F52-Capella-Press-Kit.pdf
Rocket Lab - Owl For One, One For Owl Launch Rocket Lab 2024-08-02 | Mission Name: Owl For One, One For OwlRocket: ElectronLaunch Date: 03 August 2024Launch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandLaunch Time: 04:39 am NZTPayload: New StriX SatelliteRocket Lab launched a dedicated mission for Synspective, a Japanese Earth observation company deploying a constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites designed to deliver imagery that can detect millimetre-level changes to the Earth’s surface from space. More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/FINAL-F51-Synspective-press-kit.pdf
Rocket Lab Team Members Look Back on 50 Launches Rocket Lab 2024-06-25 | Early Rocket Lab team members reflect on the road to 50 launches, share some of their favorite memories, and discuss what excites them about Rocket Lab's future.
Peter Beck reflects on reaching 50 launches Rocket Lab 2024-06-25 | Peter Beck reflects on reaching 50 launches
The Road to 50 Launches Rocket Lab 2024-06-25 | Electron has reached 50 launches faster than any commercially developed rocket in history. This is a look back at the wild ride from Flight 1 to Flight 50.
Rocket Lab - No Time Toulouse Launch Rocket Lab 2024-06-20 | Mission Name: No Time ToulouseRocket: ElectronLaunch Date: 19 June 2024Launch Site: Launch Complex 1Launch Time: 06:13 NZSTPayload: Five Kinéis IoT satellitesThe ‘No Time Toulouse’ mission was our milestone 50th Electron launch that launched on June 19th, 2024 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.The mission was the first of five dedicated Electron launches for Kinéis, a company backed by private and public investors including the French government’s space agency CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) and CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites) an international space-based solutions provider, to improve global IoT connectivity. Kinéis’ new constellation will connect any object anywhere in the world and guarantee the transmission of targeted and useful data to users, in near-real time, with low energy consumption with more powerful 30kg-class nanosats that integrate IoT technology. More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/No-Time-Toulouse-Press-Kit.pdf
Archimedes Test Stand | Stennis Space Center Rocket Lab 2024-06-05 | Hear from Nickey Raines - Manager of Rocket Lab's Stennis Test Complex as the team ramp up for our Archimedes Hot Fire campaign.More info: rocketlabusa.com/launch/neutron
Rocket Lab - PREFIRE & Ice Launch Rocket Lab 2024-06-05 | Mission Name: PREFIRE & IceLaunch Date: 05 June, 2024 NZTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandCustomers: NASAPayloads (Satellites) Launched: PREFIRENASA’s PREFIRE mission, short for Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment, is tasked with measuring heat loss from both the Arctic and Antarctica, in an aim to help researchers better understand Earth’s energy budget.The Arctic and Antarctic help to regulate Earth’s climate by radiating a lot of the heat initially absorbed at the tropics back into space. But for regions like the Arctic, about 60% of that heat escapes to space in the form of farinfrared wavelengths that haven’t been systematically measured.Changes at Earth’s poles can influence global weather patterns and affect sea level rise. The climate data collected by PREFIRE will help to provide a more accurate read of the future of some of Earth’s coldest, most remote regions - and in turn, the future of our planetMore info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/FINAL-PREFIRE-presskit-Web.pdf
Rocket Lab - Ready, Aim, PREFIRE Launch Rocket Lab 2024-05-25 | Mission Name: Ready, Aim, PREFIRELaunch Date: 25 May, 2024 NZTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandCustomers: NASAPayloads (Satellites) Launched: PREFIRENASA’s PREFIRE mission, short for Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment, is tasked with measuring heat loss from both the Arctic and Antarctica, in an aim to help researchers better understand Earth’s energy budget.The Arctic and Antarctic help to regulate Earth’s climate by radiating a lot of the heat initially absorbed at the tropics back into space. But for regions like the Arctic, about 60% of that heat escapes to space in the form of farinfrared wavelengths that haven’t been systematically measured.Changes at Earth’s poles can influence global weather patterns and affect sea level rise. The climate data collected by PREFIRE will help to provide a more accurate read of the future of some of Earth’s coldest, most remote regions - and in turn, the future of our planetMore info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/FINAL-PREFIRE-presskit-Web.pdf
Rocket Lab - Beginning Of The Swarm Launch Rocket Lab 2024-04-23 | Mission Name: Beginning of the SwarmLaunch Date: 24 April, 2024 NZTLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandCustomers: NASA and KAISTPayloads (Satellites) Launched: • NEONSAT-1 will perform Earth-observation of the Korean Peninsula for KAIST, which will then pair the satellite’s data with artificial intelligence to monitor for natural disasters in the region. NEONSAT-1 is the first of 11 satellites for KAIST’s planned constellation to image the Korean Peninsula several times daily.• The second satellite deployed was NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, which is a technology demonstration of new materials that use sunlight to propel a spacecraft. Much like a sailboat is powered by wind pushing against a sail, solar sails employ the pressure of sunlight for propulsion. This mission plans to test how well new composite booms unfurl the sail from the spacecraft – which is about the size of a toaster – to an area about the size of a small apartment. Data from this mission will be used for designing future larger-scale composite solar sail systems for space weather early warning satellites, asteroid and other small body reconnaissance missions, and missions to observe the polar regions of the sun.More info: rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/RL-F47-BeginningOfTheSwarm-PressKit-2.pdf
Rocket Lab | End-To-End Space Rocket Lab 2024-04-11 | Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, satellite components, flight software, and more.
Rocket Lab | Launch Complex 2 Rocket Lab 2024-04-08 | Antonia Hubbard, Rocket Lab's Electron Project Manager at Launch Complex 2, talks us through the importance and value of our US launch site on the Eastern Shore.
Rocket Lab | Join The Pioneers Rocket Lab 2024-04-07 | Hear from the team at Rocket Lab HQ on what life is like at our Long Beach facilities.
Rocket Lab Spacecraft Family Rocket Lab 2024-02-27 | You know how we developed a spacecraft to go to the Moon? And Mars? And spacecraft capable of reentry? And large communications constellation satellites? Remember how we called them all the same thing, Photon? Yeah, we fixed that.
360 | Rocket Lab Electron rocket stage separation - “Four of a Kind” mission Rocket Lab 2024-02-08 | ...
Building Satellites At Scale Rocket Lab 2024-01-09 | There's more than just rockets in this lab. Learn about the highly vertically integrated satellite development process at Rocket Lab spanning design, build, integration, test, launch and in-orbit operation.
