Tag: Rocket Lab
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Rocket Lab’s Electron Rocket Successfully Launches BlackSky Gen-3 Imaging Satellite
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket successfully placed a BlackSky high-resolution imaging satellite into orbit during a launch from its New Zealand facility. The launch occurred at 7:57 p.m. Eastern from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The Gen-3 satellite deployed 52 minutes after liftoff from the rocket’s kick stage into a circular orbit approximately 470 kilometers…
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Rocket Lab’s $275 Million Geost Acquisition Signals Ambition to Become Major U.S. Military Satellite Prime Contractor
Rocket Lab is expanding aggressively into the U.S. defense satellite market, with its recent $275 million acquisition of satellite payload provider Geost marking a key step in the company’s broader plan to become a full-spectrum prime contractor for military space programs. “We’re not done,” Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said in an interview, hinting at…
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Launch Roundup: Rocket Lab launches 65th Electron, SpaceX launches four missions
SpaceX continued to dominate the launch manifest with four missions this week, including SXM-10, and three Starlink launches from various locations around the globe. Additionally, Rocket Lab conducted its 65th Electron flight, transporting the BlackSky Gen-3 satellite to orbit on the “Full Stream Ahead” mission. Meanwhile, China launched a Chang Zheng 6A to a polar…
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Rocket Lab launches BlackSky’s next Gen-3 satellite on Electron rocket from New Zealand
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifts off from New Zealand to begin the ‘Full Stream Ahead’ mission on June 2, 2025. Image: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab successfully launched its 65th Electron rocket to date on a mission in support of its customer, BlackSky, and the next launch for its Gen-3 satellite constellation. Teams launched the…
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Rocket Lab to Acquire Defense Sensor Firm Geost in $325 Million Deal
Rocket Lab, a U.S.-based launch services and aerospace manufacturer, announced plans to acquire defense technology supplier Geost in a deal valued at up to $325 million, marking a significant expansion into U.S. national security programs. The acquisition includes $125 million in cash and $150 million in Rocket Lab stock, with an additional $50 million in…
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Launch Roundup: Chinese asteroid mission, and Falcon 9 launch
This week, China launched a near-Earth asteroid sample return mission amongst several other missions. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab has postponed the launch its Electron rocket from New Zealand until June 3 for additional checks and bad weather. Coming off the launch of Starship’s ninth flight test on Tuesday, SpaceX launched several Starlink missions. The company also…
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Rocket Lab achieves multiple milestones in Neutron development
Rocket Lab is making rapid progress in its quest to get its medium-lift launcher, Neutron, ready for launch by the second half of this year. Multiple tests of both the first and second stages of the rocket are in progress, contracts are being awarded for Rocket Lab to secure, and the Launch Complex 3 pad…
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Launch Roundup: Orbital launches from five countries planned
On the heels of a busy April, activity is ramping up for May with launches from five countries and six launch sites on three continents this week. A new orbital launch site in Australia was scheduled to make its debut, but was delayed due to an issue with the launch vehicle, while launches from sites…
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Rocket Lab to debut point-to-point cargo transportation capability on 2026 Air Force mission
An artist’s rendering of a Rocket Lab Neutron rocket during stage separation. Illustration: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is looking to demonstrate the reusability of its forthcoming Neutron rocket next year with a so-called ‘return-to-Earth’ mission no earlier than 2026. Ahead of its first quarter 2025 earnings call on Thursday, the company announced a new contract…
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Rocket Report: Rocket Lab to demo cargo delivery; America’s new ICBM in trouble
Welcome to Edition 7.43 of the Rocket Report! There’s been a lot of recent news in hypersonic testing. We cover some of that in this week’s newsletter, which is just a taste of the US military’s appetite for fielding its own hypersonic weapons, and conversely, the Pentagon’s emphasis on the detection and destruction of an…