Rocket Lab Wins $266 Million U.S. Space Force Contract

Overview

• Rocket Lab won the $266 million firm-fixed-price contract on Wednesday covering 12 confirmed suborbital launches with an option for six additional missions.
• Roughly $112 million in fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds were obligated at award and the U.S. Space Systems Command will oversee the program.
• All missions are planned to launch from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska and are scheduled to run through December 31, 2028; the Pentagon did not name the rocket though reporting has pointed to Rocket Lab’s HASTE vehicle as a likely candidate.
• Investors pushed RKLB shares higher in response, with intraday gains of about 5–6% reported and further upside noted in some after-hours trade; the firm-fixed-price contract gives Rocket Lab predictable multi-year revenue but concentrates risk in a single government customer.
• Key near-term watch points are whether the six optional launches are exercised, progress on Alaska ground infrastructure and launch sequencing, and any follow-on awards that would indicate sustained defense demand.