# Rocket Lab expands US Space Force contracts and Iridium deal > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rocket-lab-us-space-force-contract > Updated: 2026-08-31T03:16:19.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 9. In late July 2026, Rocket Lab secured a $266 million U.S. Space Force contract for up to 18 sub-orbital launches to support missile-defence and hypersonic testing, adding a fourth launch site at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska. The deal, the largest in the company’s history, was announced alongside plans to acquire Iridium Communications, a move projected to generate about $1.8 billion in revenue by 2026 and to combine launch capability with Iridium’s satellite-communications network. Further developments in August reinforced Rocket Lab’s expanding role in U.S. defense. On August 5, the firm won a $397 million Space Force contract to design, launch, and operate a constellation of Flatellite surveillance satellites on its forthcoming Neutron launch vehicle. On August 17, Rocket Lab was selected for the U.S. Space Force’s $981 million NITE-STAR program, an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract focused on developing distributed test and operational training infrastructure for contested space environments. Following this, on August 20, it was revealed that Viasat selected Rocket Lab to build a satellite bus for the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program. By late August, Rocket Lab reported second-quarter revenue of $234 million, a 62% year-over-year increase, and a record backlog of approximately $2.36 billion, representing a 137% year-over-year growth. To fund expansion and the Iridium acquisition—which cleared a major regulatory hurdle following the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period—the company initiated an at-the-market equity program of up to $1.94 billion. Concurrently, the company is advancing development of its Neutron medium-lift rocket, including mechanical testing of its ‘Hungry Hippo’ fairing mechanism. In late August, the company secured an additional $90 million contract from the Space Systems Command to build and operate two geostationary satellites for space domain awareness. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Rocket Lab secures US Space Force contracts amid stock volatility Rocket Lab's stock faces downward pressure despite securing major US Space Force contracts worth hundreds of millions and expanding its role in national security infrastructure. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-secures-us-space-force-contracts-amid-stock-volatility ### 2026-08-26: Rocket Lab backlog grows 137% amid Space Force activity Rocket Lab's order backlog has surged 137% to $2.36 billion, while the US Space Force expands its Starshield satellite network for military aircraft connectivity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-backlog-grows-137-amid-space-force-activity ### 2026-08-23: Rocket Lab expands defense footprint and advances Neutron rocket development Rocket Lab reports record revenue and backlog growth while advancing its Neutron rocket development and securing major defense contracts and the Iridium Communications acquisition. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-clears-us-antitrust-hurdle-for-iridium-acquisition ### 2026-08-20: Rocket Lab secures U.S. Space Force contracts and Viasat partnership Rocket Lab is expanding its defense footprint through the U.S. Space Force’s NITE-STAR training program and a partnership with Viasat to build anti-jam satellites for the PTS-G program. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-secures-us-space-force-contracts-and-viasat-partnership ### 2026-08-17: U.S. Space Force selects CACI and Rocket Lab for $981M NITE-STAR program CACI and Rocket Lab have joined the U.S. Space Force’s $981 million NITE-STAR program to develop advanced test and training infrastructure for contested space environments. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-space-force-selects-caci-and-rocket-lab-for-981m-nite-star-program ### 2026-08-05: Rocket Lab Secures $397 Million U.S. Space Force Contract for Flatellite Surveillance Satellites Rocket Lab won a $397 million U.S. Space Force contract to build, launch and operate Flatellite surveillance satellites on its Neutron rocket, part of the SB‑AMTI program for airborne threat tracking. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-secures-397-million-us-space-force-contract-for-flatellite-surveillance-satellites ### 2026-08-03: Rocket Lab Secures $266 Million US Missile‑Defense Contract Amid Iridium Acquisition Plans Rocket Lab, poised to acquire Iridium, landed a $266 million U.S. Space Force contract for 12 suborbital missile‑defense launches, marking a shift toward defense work. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-secures-266-million-us-missiledefense-contract-amid-iridium-acquisition-plans ### 2026-07-30: Rocket Lab wins $266 million US Space Force contract, builds Alaska launch site Rocket Lab secured a $266 million US Space Force contract to build a launch site in Alaska for up to 18 sub‑orbital defense missions, the first slated for late 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-wins-266-million-us-space-force-contract-builds-alaska-launch-site ### 2026-07-27: Rocket Lab wins $266 million US Space Force missile‑defense launch contract Rocket Lab secured a $266 million US Space Force contract for up to 18 suborbital launches to aid missile‑defense development, with first flight no earlier than late 2026 from Alaska. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rocket-lab-wins-266-million-us-space-force-missiledefense-launch-contract --- Cite as: Rocket Lab expands US Space Force contracts and Iridium deal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rocket-lab-us-space-force-contract