New Zealand-founded company Rocket Lab secures an US$816 million (NZ$1.4b) deal with the US Space Development Agency (SDA).
This marks the company’s largest single contract to date.
Rocket Lab will produce 18 advanced sensor-equipped satellites designed to monitor missile launches, such as Russia’s new hypersonic capabilities.
“Demand for resilient, scalable and affordable space systems continues to grow, and this award demonstrates that Rocket Lab is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in delivering solutions that meet the needs of national security,” Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck said.
“As the only commercial provider producing both spacecraft and payloads in-house for the SDA Tracking Layer, Rocket Lab is delivering a truly disruptive solution that combines speed, resilience and affordability.”
“This contract underscores that Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated approach isn’t just a competitive advantage – we’re enabling a fundamental shift in how national security space programmes are executed.”
Rocket Lab previously secured a US$515 million (NZ$869 million) satellite contract.
It sent its fourth spacecraft into orbit for the US Space Force via the “Don’t Be Such A Square” mission. The launch deployed four DiskSat spacecraft into a 550 km low Earth orbit, arriving five months ahead of schedule.
Rocket Lab also launched “The Wisdom God Guides,” marking the company’s 79th mission overall and its 21st this year.