Rocket Lab wins $266 million US Space Force contract, builds Alaska launch site

Rocket Lab has secured a $266 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to develop a new launch site at the Pacific Spaceport Complex near Kodiak, Alaska. The agreement covers up to 18 sub‑orbital missions—12 guaranteed launches and six optional—focused on hypersonic and missile‑defence testing, with the first flight not earlier than the end of 2026.

The deal is the largest in Rocket Lab’s history and marks a shift from its civilian small‑satellite business toward defense services. It follows a successful full‑duration test of the Archimedes engine for the company’s upcoming Neutron launch vehicle and a parallel contract with Japan’s iQPS institute for additional missions. The contract expands Rocket Lab’s launch infrastructure, adding a fourth site alongside its locations in New Zealand and Virginia.

Investors reacted positively, with the company’s shares jumping over nine percent after the announcement, although analysts note that the company’s broader financial position remains under pressure.