Overview
- Rocket Lab announced the Ghost system on Tuesday as a modular, containerized launch kit that holds launch infrastructure, ground support and flight control gear and can be assembled in days.
- The firm plans to build the first two Ghost sites at Kodiak, Alaska, to conduct suborbital flights for the U.S. Space Force with launches targeted to begin in 2027.
- Rocket Lab has formalized its push into Europe by creating Rocket Lab Germany GmbH and completing its purchase of Munich-based Mynaric, with Germany insisting Mynaric keep key IP, production and R&D in Europe.
- The company is pursuing further vertical integration, including its announced July deal for Iridium, while growing its Electron launch business and continuing development of the larger Neutron rocket.
- Investments in new vehicles, launch infrastructure and European expansion are straining near-term profits, but the moves aim to give allied governments local manufacturing, optical-communications hardware and sovereign access to launches.