Rocket Lab USA, Inc. is an aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider focused on delivering cost-effective and frequent access to space. The company’s flagship launch vehicle, Electron, is tailored for lightweight payloads and has become a staple for commercial and government customers seeking dedicated rides to low Earth orbit. In addition to Electron, Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, a medium-lift rocket designed to serve larger satellite constellations and support in-space infrastructure missions.
Beyond launch services, Rocket Lab offers end-to-end satellite solutions under its Photon platform, which integrates spacecraft bus design, manufacturing, and mission management. Photon satellites have been used for a variety of missions, including Earth observation, technology demonstrations, and lunar orbit tasks. The company also provides advanced components and subsystems, leveraging additive manufacturing techniques to streamline production and improve performance.
Rocket Lab maintains two primary launch sites: Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula and Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. This dual-facility approach enables responsive scheduling for a diverse customer base that spans commercial operators, national space agencies, and scientific institutions globally. The company’s global footprint is further supported by offices in the United States, New Zealand, and Europe.
Founded in 2006 by Peter Beck, who serves as Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Lab has grown from its New Zealand roots into a publicly traded aerospace enterprise. Since its first successful Electron launch in 2017, the company has completed numerous missions and continues to expand its capabilities in launch, spacecraft development, and in-space operations.