Rocket Lab US Space Force contract

In late July 2026, Rocket Lab Corporation secured a $266 million contract from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command. The agreement calls for up to 18 sub‑orbital launches—12 guaranteed and six optional—to support missile‑defence and hypersonic testing. The first flight is planned for no earlier than the end of 2026.

The contract includes development of a new launch facility at the Pacific Spaceport Complex‑Alaska near Kodiak, adding a fourth launch site to Rocket Lab’s existing complexes in New Zealand and Virginia. The deal marks the company’s largest launch contract to date and signals a shift from its civilian small‑satellite business toward national‑security services. Investor response was positive, with Rocket Lab’s shares rising sharply after the announcement.

Overall, the arrangement expands Rocket Lab’s launch infrastructure, deepens its role in U.S. defense space operations, and positions the firm for future high‑frequency, rapid‑response missions.