Wikipedia

Rocket Lab

(Redirected from Rocket Labs)

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. is a publicly traded aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider.[10] Its Electron orbital rockets launches small satellites, and has launched 53 times as of 2024. A sub-orbital Electron variant called HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) serves other needs.[11] The company also supplies satellite components including star trackers, reaction wheels, solar cells and arrays, satellite radios, separation systems, as well as flight and ground software.[12]

Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
Company typePublic
IndustryLaunch service provider
FoundedJune 2006; 18 years ago (2006-06) in Auckland[1]
FounderPeter Beck[2]
HeadquartersLong Beach, California, U.S.[3]
Key people
Peter Beck (CEO and CTO)[2]
ProductsElectron rocket
Rutherford rocket engine
Archimedes rocket engine
Curie and HyperCurie rocket engine[4]
Photon satellite bus family
Neutron rocket
RevenueIncrease US$245 million (2023)
Decrease US$−135 million (2022)
Decrease US$−183 million (2023)
Total assetsDecrease US$940 million (December 2023[5])
Total equityDecrease US$673 million (2022)
Number of employees
2,000[6] (June 2024)
Websiterocketlabusa.com
Footnotes / references
[7][8][9]

The expendable[13] Electron rocket[14] first launched in May 2017.[15] In August 2020, the company launched its first Photon satellite.[16] The company built and operates satellites for the Space Development Agency,[17][18] part of the United States Space Force. In May 2022, the company attempted to recover a returning Electron booster with a helicopter.[19] In 2024, the company announced that a booster recovered on an earlier launch would be reused.[20]

Rocket Lab was founded in New Zealand in 2006.[21] By 2009,[22] the successful launch of Ātea-1[22] made the organization the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.[21] The company established its headquarters in California in 2013.[23] Rocket Lab acquired four companies, including Sinclair Interplanetary in April 2020,[24] Advanced Solutions in December 2021,[25] SolAero Holdings in January 2022,[26] and Planetary Systems in December 2021.[27] As of June 2024, the company had approximately 2,000 full-time permanent employees globally.[6] Approximately 700 of these employees were based in New Zealand with the remainder in the United States.[28] In August 2021, the company went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange through a SPAC merger.[29]

History

edit

Origin (2006–2012)

edit

The company was founded in June 2006[30] by Peter Beck in New Zealand, after a trip to the United States.[31] During the trip, Beck realized the possibility and potential for a low-cost, small rocket. While contacting potential investors, he met Mark Rocket,[32] who later became a seed investor and was co-director from 2007 to 2011.[33] Other investors to the company included Stephen Tindall,[34][35] Vinod Khosla, and the New Zealand Government.[36]

The company became the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space after launching its Ātea-1 sounding rocket in November 2009.[37] The payload was not recovered, and the launch was deemed unsuccessful.[38] The payload was a ballistic instrumentation dart and its trajectory depended only on the boost phase.[39] The launch took place off the coast of New Zealand, from the private island (Great Mercury Island) of Michael Fay, a New Zealand banker and Rocket Lab investor.[35]

In December 2010, the company was awarded a U.S. government contract from the Operationally Responsive Space Office (ORS) to study a low cost space launcher to place CubeSats into orbit.[40][41][42][43] The agreement with NASA enabled the company to contract for limited NASA resources such as personnel, facilities, and equipment for commercial launch efforts.[44][45]

United States move (2013–2020)

edit
 
Peter Beck and Dava Newman posing in front of Rocket Lab's sounding rockets

Around 2013, the company moved to the United States, and established its headquarters in Huntington Beach, California.[46][47] The move coincided with funding from American sources, and was in part due to increased U.S. government involvement.[46] The New Zealand company became a subsidiary of the American company.[48] In 2020, Rocket Lab moved to Long Beach.[49] The move was motivated by the need to accommodate the company's growing workforce and to be closer to suppliers and customers.[50] The new facility includes a state-of-the-art production facility for manufacturing the company's Electron launch vehicle,[51] as well as administrative offices and other support facilities.[52][53]

In 2013, funding was obtained from Khosla Ventures,[54] and Callaghan Innovation (a Crown entity of New Zealand).[46] Bessemer Venture Partners invested in 2014[55][56] and Lockheed Martin invested in 2015.[57] Rocket Lab announced in March 2017 that it had raised an additional US$75 million in a Series D equity round led by Data Collective with participation by Promus Ventures and earlier investors.[58] In May 2017, Callaghan Innovation funding was reported to total NZ$15 million.[49] In November 2018, the company reported raising a $150 million Series E round led by Future Fund.[59] The first NASA mission, launched in 2018, was valued by the space agency at $6.9 million (with launch services, etc., included).[60]

In 2018, Rocket Lab began to develop reusable first stage technology,[61] after previously stating publicly that they had no intention of attempting to recover and reuse their launch vehicles.[62] They disclosed the effort to study the potential recovery of an Electron first stage in August 2019, aiming to use a parachute and mid-air retrieval.[63] In December 2019, they flight tested the reentry technology, a Rocket Lab proprietary aerothermal decelerator,[64] on Electron flight number 10, and were able to decelerate the rocket and successfully bring it through the space to lower atmosphere transition.[64] In November 2022, Rocket Lab cut the ribbon on an engine test facility for the Archimedes engine at NASA's Stennis Space Center.[65]

In March 2020, the company announced that it had acquired Sinclair Interplanetary, a Canadian manufacturer of components for small satellites.[66] Rocket Lab said that it would use Sinclair technology on its Photon line of small satellite buses, and that it would help Sinclair increase production of small satellite components for sale to other firms.[67] Thereafter, Rocket Lab launched missions with some or all of the payload being made by Sinclair Interplanetary.[68]

Public company (2021–present)

edit

In March 2021, the company announced that it was planning to go public through an initial public offering (IPO) of stock in the second quarter of 2021.[69] The company planned to accomplish the IPO through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) called Vector Acquisition Corporation (VACQ).[69][70] The merger planned to value the company at US$4.1 billion and provide the company with $790 million in working capital to support the development of a medium-lift two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle called Neutron, aiming for the mega-constellation satellite deployment market.[69] Neutron was planned to be partially reusable with the booster stage performing a Return To Launch Site (RTLS) landing, to be refurbished and relaunched.[71]

The company began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange on 25 August 2021 after merging with SPAC Vector Acquisition, at a $4.8 billion valuation. The transaction added $777 million in gross cash.[72][73] At the time Rocket Lab had over 500 employees and it had successfully launched 105 satellites into orbit.[74][75][72] Rocket Lab's launch business booked revenues of $13.5 million in 2018, $48 million in 2019 and an estimated $33 million in 2020.[72] Rocket Lab spent somewhere between $250 million to $300 million of the cash gained from going public to develop Neutron.[76] Rocket Lab aimed to launch Neutron by 2025.[77]

As of August 2021, the company intended to build a new factory in the United States to build the rockets as well as launch infrastructure for Neutron at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Wallops Island, Virginia.[67][72] In October 2021, the company acquired Advanced Solutions, Inc (ASI), a Colorado-based spacecraft flight software company.[78] In November 2021, the company acquired Planetary Systems Corporation (PSC), a manufacturer of satellite separation systems for $81.4 million.[79] In January 2022, the company acquired SolAero, a supplier of space solar power products.[80]

On 3 May 2022, in the "There And Back Again" mission, the company launched its Electron rocket from New Zealand and attempted to recover it for the first time.[81] It was able to capture the falling rocket booster in mid-air, a historic first.[82][83][84][85] Beck later said that the booster was hanging improperly, so it was allowed to parachute into the water where it was extracted by a ship.[86]

In August 2022, the company revealed plans to become the first private company to reach Venus.[87] The company is building a small probe, called the Venus Life Finder (VLF),[88] which is designed to plunge through Venus's upper atmosphere for roughly five minutes between 29 mi (47 km) and 37 mi (60 km) above the planets' surface, searching for organic compounds.[87] As of March 2023, the target launch date aboard the Electron rocket was January 2025.[89]

In October 2023, Rocket Lab officially opened its engine development facility in Long Beach to support the development of the Archimedes engine.[90] The facility, including production assets such as machinery and equipment, had been acquired in May 2023 out of Virgin Orbit's bankruptcy proceedings.[91]

In January 2024, Rocket Lab became the prime contractor for a $515M USSF military satellite project, the company's largest contract to date.[92][93]

In April 2024, the company announced it would begin selling carbon composite products to customers.[94]

As of 2024, the company was developing the bigger Neutron reusable unibody rocket;[95] multiple spacecraft buses,[96] and rocket engines: Rutherford,[97] Curie,[98] HyperCurie,[99] and Archimedes.[100] In mid 2024, the company entered the engine test phase in Neutron’s development process.[101]

In November 2024, news reports said the company threatened an academic in New Zealand with a defamation lawsuit for comments that Rocket Lab was involved with US military control over nuclear weapons.[102]

Hardware

edit

Electron orbital rocket

edit
Main articles: Rocket Lab Electron and List of Electron rocket launches
 
Electron launching from Launch Site 1, 2020

Electron is a two-stage launch vehicle that uses Rocket Lab's Rutherford liquid engines on both stages.[103][104] The vehicle is capable of delivering payloads of 150 kg to a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit.[105] The projected cost is less than US$5 million per launch.[106]

 
Rocket Lab's Electron Rocket

The Rutherford engine uses pumps driven by battery-powered electric motors rather than a gas generator, expander, or preburner.[107] The engine is fabricated largely by 3D printing, using electron beam melting,[108] whereby layers of metal powder are melted in a high vacuum by an electron beam.[109] By March 2016, the 5,000 pounds-force (22 kN) second-stage Rutherford engine had completed firing tests.[110] The first test flight took place on 25 May 2017 from Māhia Peninsula on New Zealand's North Island.[111] After reaching an altitude of about 224 kilometres (139 mi), the rocket was performing nominally, but telemetry was lost and flight control destroyed it.[112][113][114]

On 21 January 2018, their second rocket, on a flight named "Still Testing", launched, reached orbit and deployed three CubeSats for customers Planet Labs and Spire Global.[115] The rocket also carried a satellite payload called Humanity Star, a 1 m-wide (3.3 ft) carbon fiber geodesic sphere made of 65 panels that reflect the Sun's light.[116] Humanity Star re-entered Earth's atmosphere and burned up in March 2018.[117] On 11 November 2018, the first commercial launch (third launch overall) took off from Māhia Peninsula carrying satellites for Spire Global, GeoOptics, a CubeSat built by high school students, and a prototype of a dragsail.[118]

On 4 July 2020, an issue during the second-stage burn of flight 13, named "Pics or It Didn't Happen", caused Electron to fail to get into orbit and its payloads were lost.[119] On 19 November 2020, a launch mission named "Return to Sender" successfully deployed its payload of 30 small satellites.[120] First stage recovery was also successfully implemented.[121] On 15 May 2021, the company launched "Running Out Of Toes" which successfully used the first stage recovery method like the one used on "Return to Sender".[122] However, the rocket failed to place its payload of two BlackSky satellites into orbit after an issue occurred with the second stage.[123] On 15 September 2022, Rocket Lab launched "The Owl Spreads Its Wings" mission, sending a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellite into Earth orbit.[124] On September 19, 2023, the Electron failed its mission to deliver a Capella Space synthetic-aperture radar imaging satellite when the rocket's second stage failed shortly after separation.[125] Electron successfully returned to flight on December 14 with the launch of a Japanese radar imaging satellite, which marked a record 10th flight for the rocket in 2023.[126]

Two attempts have been made to recover an Electron booster by helicopter.[127] In addition, six attempts have been made at soft water recovery.[128][129]

HASTE suborbital rocket

edit

Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle derived from the Electron orbital rocket.[130] HASTE provides flight test opportunities for hypersonic and suborbital system technology development.[130] It successfully launched its first mission "Scout's Arrow" on 18 June 2023, for Leidos.[131]

HASTE has a payload capacity of 700 kg (1,500 lb), double that of Electron. It can deploy payloads from 80 km (50 mi) altitude and higher.[130] In 2024, two HASTE launches were planned.[132] As of November 2023 Rocket Lab had contracted for at least six HASTE missions.[133]

Neutron reusable rocket

edit
Main article: Rocket Lab Neutron
 
A design concept image of Neutron, which is expected to launch in 2025.
 
The Archimedes Engine which powers Neutron and began testing in 2024.

The company announced in March 2021 that it was developing a new medium-lift two-stage human-rated launch vehicle called Neutron.[134] Neutron is expected to be 40 m (130 ft) tall with a 4.5 m-diameter (15 ft) fairing.[135] It will have 13-and-15-short-ton (12 and 14 t) capacities.[136] Rocket Lab said they aim to make the first stage of the vehicle reusable, with landings planned on a floating landing platform downrange in the ocean.[69][71] This method is similar to how SpaceX recovers the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.[137] During a question and answer session with space and rocket communicator Scott Manley, Beck indicated a preference to avoid fixed assets such as landing barges.[138] This indicated that design work had proceeded on the basis that the Neutron would return for landing rather than landing downrange.[139]

Neutron launches are intended to take place from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on the eastern coast of Virginia.[135] Rocket Lab is expected to modify the existing launch pad infrastructure at Launch Pad 0A (LP-0A).[69] In March 2022, Rocket Lab announced that Neutron will be manufactured at a facility adjacent to MARS Launch Complex 2.[135] Launch Complex 2 is currently being used for Electron launches.[140] Rocket Lab began to break ground for this facility on 11 April 2022.[141] As of March 2021, the company is planning for the first launch no earlier than mid-2025.[77] In mid-2024, the company completed assembly on the first Archimedes engine, to undergo testing at Stennis Space Center, as well as some assembly on Neutron’s fairings.[142][143]

Ātea sounding rocket

edit

The first and only launch of the Ātea (Māori for "space") sub-orbital sounding rocket occurred in late 2009.[144] The 6 m-long (20 ft) rocket, weighing approximately 60 kg (130 lb), was designed to carry a 2 kg (4.4 lb) payload to an altitude of around 120 km (75 mi).[145] It was intended to carry scientific payloads or possibly personal items.[146][147][148]

Ātea-1, named Manu Karere or Bird Messenger by the local Māori iwi,[149] was successfully launched from Great Mercury Island near Coromandel Peninsula on 30 November 2009 at 01:23 UTC (14:23 local time). The rocket was tracked by a GPS uplink to the Inmarsat-B satellite constellation.[150][151] After the flight, Ātea-1 splashed down approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) downrange.[152][153] The payload had no telemetry downlink, but carried instrumentation.[150] The payload was not recovered as it was a dart of no value.[38][154] The company advised that should it be encountered by vessels at sea, the payload should not be handled as it was "potentially hazardous" and contained delicate instruments.[155] Performance characteristics were determined by the boost stage using downlink telemetry, and was recovered.[156] This allowed Rocket Lab to move the entire team to the Electron rocket.[39][157]

Photon satellite bus

edit
This section is an excerpt from Rocket Lab Photon.[edit]

Photon is a satellite bus based on Rocket Lab's Electron kick stage.[158] It moves satellites into their appropriate orbits once boosted by rockets such as Electron. It is customizable for uses including LEO payload hosting,[159] lunar flybys, and interplanetary missions.[160]

 
Location of Photon on the Electron rocket

Photon uses chemical propulsion for orbit adjustments. It can use a variety of engines, such as the Curie and HyperCurie engines, as well as engines from third-party sources, such as the one powering the EscaPADE mission.[161]

Photon first launched in August 2020 on Rocket Lab's I Can't Believe It's Not Optical mission, where it served as a pathfinder. It has since flown three times. It flew the CAPSTONE mission.[citation needed]

Photon communicates on the S-band.[162] Depending on the orbital inclination (37° to Sun-synchronous orbit), it is expected to have a payload capacity of 170 kg (370 lb).[163][164] The interplanetary version was to have a 40 kg (88 lb) payload capacity.[165]

HyperCurie is an evolution of the Curie engine, which comes in monopropellant and bipropellant versions, while the HyperCurie is hypergolic[166] and electrically pumped.[167]

Notable missions

edit

In February 2020, Rocket Lab was selected by NASA to launch the CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) on Electron and deploy it to lunar orbit from a Photon spacecraft bus.[168] CAPSTONE is a microwave oven–sized CubeSat weighing 55 pounds and is the first spacecraft to test a unique, elliptical lunar orbit.[169] As a pathfinder for the Lunar Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost that is part of NASA’s Artemis program, CAPSTONE will help reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of this halo-shaped orbit.[170] Originally scheduled to launch from Virginia, the launch location was adjusted to Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand in August 2021[171] due to delays in certifying the NASA autonomous flight termination system planned to fly on Electron missions from Launch Complex 2.[172] The CAPSTONE mission was successfully launched on Electron in June 2022[173] and on July 4th Photon's HyperCurie engine completed the final Translunar Injection Burn, successfully releasing the CAPSTONE spacecraft on a trajectory to lunar orbit.[174] CAPSTONE completed its primary six-month mission and as of July 2023 was continuing an enhanced mission to deliver ongoing data in support of Artemis.[175]

Viscous liquid monopropellant

edit

In 2012, the company demonstrated a rocket propelled by a viscous liquid monopropellant (VLM) developed via DARPA and Office of Naval Research (NRL) work.[176][177] The VLM was reported to be thixotropic, so that it behaves as a pseudo-solid until a shear force is applied, after which it flows like a liquid. The VLM density was reported to be comparable to solid-rocket propellant.[177] The VLM reportedly required no special handling, was non-toxic, water-soluble, had low sensitivity to shock, a high ignition point, and was barely flammable in atmosphere.[178] The company earned a US patent[179] on the system.[180]

Instant Eyes

edit

In 2011, Rocket Lab had a program called "Instant Eyes".[181][182] The Instant Eyes unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)[183] was designed for military applications requiring a bird's-eye view, much like drones.[184][185] Upon launching, the rocket with its 5 megapixel camera would reach an altitude of 2,500 feet (760 m) within 20 seconds.[181][186]

Mars sample return

edit

In October 2024, Rocket Lab was awarded a NASA contract to explore new concepts for a sample return from the surface of Mars.[187]

Facilities

edit

Manufacturing

edit
 
Payload preparation inside a Rocket Lab facility at Huntington Beach, California

In October 2018, the company revealed their new manufacturing facility in Auckland, New Zealand.[188] It is intended for the production of propellant tanks and stage builds, and is in charge of the overall integration of launch vehicles at Launch Complex 1.[189] The company's headquarters in Long Beach, California, produces their Rutherford engines and avionics.[189]

The company's primary manufacturing facility is located in Huntington Beach,[190] where rocket components are manufactured and assembled before traveling to the New Zealand launch site.[191]

The manufacturing process begins with the production of the Electron rocket's first stage, which is built using carbon composite.[192] The material is designed to be strong and lightweight.[193]

Once the first stage is complete, it is transported to the New Zealand launch site, where the second stage and other components are added.[194] The second stage is powered by a single Rutherford engine.[192] The engine uses an electric pump-fed propulsion system.[192]

Manufacturing the carbon composite components of the main flight structure has traditionally required 400 hours, involving extensive hand labor.[195] In late 2019, Rocket Lab brought a new robotic manufacturing capability online to produce Electron's composite parts in 12 hours.[196] The robot was named "Rosie the Robot", after The Jetsons character.[197] The process can make all the carbon fiber structures as well as handle cutting, drilling, and sanding such that the parts are ready for final assembly.[197] The company objective as of November 2019 was to reduce the overall Electron manufacturing cycle to seven days.[194][196][198]

Rutherford engine production uses additive manufacturing.[199]

In October 2023, Rocket Lab announced it had acquired carbon composite manufacturing facilities, equipment and more than 50 team members from SailGP Technologies in Warkworth, New Zealand.[200] SailGP was already a supplier to Rocket Lab, so when SailGP announced plans to move operations to the UK, Rocket Lab took over the facilities and employees to support a growing production rate for the Electron rocket and the rapid development of Neutron.[201]

In October 2023, Rocket Lab officially opened its Engine Development Center in Long Beach in the former Virgin Orbit factory, where the company now builds Rutherford and Archimedes engines.[202]

In November 2023, Rocket Lab announced plans to establish a Space Structures Complex in Middle River, Maryland, deliver a comprehensive suite of advanced composite products for the space industry and to further vertically integrate supply for the company's internal needs across launch and space systems.[203] The site will also play a role in the development and long-term supply of carbon composite structures for Neutron.[204]

Through the acquisition of SolAero, Rocket Lab also has facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[205] Through the acquisition of ASI, the company has facilities in Littleton, Colorado.[206] Through the acquisition of Planetary Systems Corporation, the company has facilities in Maryland,[207] and in Toronto, Canada through the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary.[208] In September 2021, Rocket Lab announced it was expanding production of reaction wheels with a new production line in Auckland to support production of up to 2,000 reaction wheels per year for an undisclosed mega-constellation customer.[209]

Launch Complex 1

edit
Main article: Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1

The company's Launch Complex 1 (LC-1) is a private orbital launch site located on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand.[210] The site consists of two launch pads,[211] a vehicle integration facility, and a range control center.[212] It was designed to support the company's Electron launch vehicle, which is optimized for small satellite launches.[213]

The company originally planned to use Kaitorete Spit as their primary launch site and Mahia Peninsula as a secondary one.[214] After encountering difficulty in obtaining resource consent for Kaitorete Spit launch site,[215] Rocket Lab announced in November 2015 that its primary launch site would be on the Māhia Peninsula, east of Wairoa on the North Island.[216] The site is licensed to launch rockets every 72 hours for 30 years.[217] Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (LC-1A) was officially opened on 26 September 2016 (UTC; 27 September NZDT).[218] In December 2019, Rocket Lab began construction of a second pad on Māhia Peninsula named Launch Complex 1B.[219] On 28 February 2022, Launch Complex 1B hosted its first launch: "The Owl's Night Continues".[220]

LC-1 has been in operation since 2017 and has supported numerous launches for a variety of customers, including NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and commercial satellite operators.[221] LC-1A was the first part of LC-1 and was introduced in 2017.[222] The first launch supported from LC-1A was "It's a Test".[223] LC-1B was added later in February 2022.[224] "The Owl's Night Continues" was the first launch supported from LC-1B.[220]

Launch Complex 2

edit
 
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and, in the background, NASA's Wallops Flight Facility as seen in September 2012.
Main article: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport

In late 2018, the company selected MARS as their second launch site.[225] Decision factors included infrastructure readiness, few launches from other companies, and the ability to supplement LC-1 orbital inclinations.[189] It was expected to be capable of monthly launches.[189] Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) is located within the fence line of MARS Launch Pad 0A.[189] In December 2019, construction of the launch pad was completed and Rocket Lab inaugurated LC-2.[226]

The first Electron launch from LC-2 happened on 24 January 2023 during the "Virginia is for launch lovers" mission, named in celebration of the launch.[227] The launch placed thee satellites in orbit.[228] Two more missions were later launched from LC-2.[229][230]

Launch Complex 3

edit
Main article: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport § Launch Pad 0D (LP-0D)/Launch Complex-3 (LC-3)

In October 2023, construction of a new launch site between LP-0A and LP-0B was observed.[231] The launch site (for Neutron) will be named Launch pad 0D (LP-0D).[232] Rocket Lab refers to LP-0D as Launch Complex 3 or LC-3 (located at 37°49′56″N 75°29′24″W / 37.8321693°N 75.4899046°W / 37.8321693; -75.4899046 (Wallops Island Launch Complex-2)).[233] Progress was seen in April 2024 with the installation of the water tower.[234][235] Concrete work was reportedly completed in May 2024.[236]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Rocket Lab Celebrates Rich Ten-Year History". Rocket Lab. 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Our Team". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  3. ^ Masunaga, Samantha (21 March 2017). "Rocket Lab moves headquarters from Los Angeles to Huntington Beach". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Rocket Lab tests new hyperCurie engine that will power its deep space delivery vehicle". Yahoo News. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Rocket Lab (RKLB) – Total assets".
  6. ^ a b "Sir Peter Beck: Ambitions interplanetary and down-to-Earth". RNZ. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Rocket Lab USA Inc. 2022 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Rocket Lab USA Inc (RKLB) Reports Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth and Margin Expansion". 27 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Reusable Rockets". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  10. ^ "New Zealand Launch Schedule [Including Past Launches] - RocketLaunch.Live". www.rocketlaunch.live. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Rocket Lab Introduces Suborbital Testbed Rocket, Selected for Hypersonic Test Flights". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Rocket Lab Makes its Defense Prime Debut with $0.5 Billion Contract to Design and Build Satellite Constellation for Space Development Agency". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  13. ^ Wall, Mike (4 November 2022). "Rocket Lab launches Swedish satellite but fails to catch booster with helicopter". Space.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Electron". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Completed Missions". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  16. ^ Foust, Jeff (4 September 2020). "Rocket Lab launches first Photon satellite". SpaceNews. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Rocket Lab wins $515 million contract to build 18 satellites for U.S. government agency". 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Rocket Lab Supports Significant Milestone for DARPA and Space Development Agency". 13 July 2022. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Rocket Maker Fails in 1st Bid to Catch, Recover Booster With Helicopter | Aerospace Tech Review". www.aerospacetechreview.com. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Rocket Lab Returns Previously Flown Electron to Production Line in Preparation for First Reflight". www.businesswire.com. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Rocket Lab USA Poised to Change the Space Industry". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Ä€tea-1". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Rocket Lab Expands Footprint with New Long Beach Headquarters and Production Complex". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Rocket Lab Closes Acquisition of Satellite Hardware Manufacturer Sinclair Interplanetary". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Rocket Lab Acquires Space Software Company Advanced Solutions, Inc". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Rocket Lab Closes Acquisition of Space Solar Power Products Company SolAero Holdings, Inc". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Rocket Lab Closes Acquisition Of Space Hardware Company Planetary Systems Corporation". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  28. ^ "The Post". www.thepost.co.nz. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Rocket Lab Completes Merger with Vector Acquisition Corporation to Become Publicly Traded End-to-End Space Company". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  30. ^ "Rocket Lab USA Poised to Change the Space Industry". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  31. ^ Walsh, Frances. "Rocket Lab's Peter Beck and Mark Rocket on their space plans". Metro. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Mark Rocket | New Zealand Aerospace Entrepreneur". Kea Aerospace. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  33. ^ "To infinity and beyond". The New Zealand Herald. 6 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  34. ^ Nadkarni, Anuja (15 November 2018). "Rocket Lab garners $206 million from investors, including ACC and Stephen Tindall". Stuff. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  35. ^ a b Bradley, Grant (13 October 2016). "Peter Beck: The man with the one million-horsepower rocket". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  36. ^ Bradley, Grant (13 October 2016). "Peter Beck: The man with the one million-horsepower rocket". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  37. ^ Botsford End, Rae (2 May 2015). "Rocket Lab: the Electron, the Rutherford, and why Peter Beck started it in the first place". Spaceflight Insider. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  38. ^ a b "Rocket Lab – Public Portal – KiwiSpace Foundation".
  39. ^ a b "Search for rocket remains continues". Otago Daily Times. 2 December 2009. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  40. ^ "News". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. December 2010 – Rocket Lab was awarded a U.S. contract from the Operationally Responsive Space Office (ORS) to study low cost international alternatives. Included in this study is a 640,000 newtons booster, a miniature avionics system and a launch vehicle to place small mass satellites into polar and low Earth orbits.
  41. ^ "Rocket Research andDevelopment Based in New Zealand". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  42. ^ "Rocketry Links". New Zealand Rocketry Association. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  43. ^ "New Zealand set to join the space age". stuff.co.nz. NZPA. 9 October 2009. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  44. ^ Henry, Caleb (31 July 2015). "Rocket Lab Signs NASA Partnership to Tap Launch Resources". Satellite Today. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  45. ^ Mann, Adam (6 December 2017). "Rocket Lab poised to provide dedicated launcher for CubeSat science". Science (journal). Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  46. ^ a b c "Rocket Lab". Callaghan Innovation. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  47. ^ "Rocket Lab moves headquarters from Los Angeles to Huntington Beach". Los Angeles Times. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  48. ^ "ROCKET LAB LIMITED (1835428)". New Zealand Companies Office. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  49. ^ a b "10 things about Rocket Lab". National Business Review. 27 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  50. ^ Samantha Masunaga (21 March 2017). "Rocket Lab moves headquarters from Los Angeles to Huntington Beach". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  51. ^ "Rocket Lab Expands Footprint with New Long Beach Headquarters and Production Complex". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  52. ^ Etherington, Darrell (14 January 2020). "Rocket Lab to open a new combined HQ, mission control and production facility in Long Beach". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  53. ^ "Long Beach pushes to become hub for booming space industry – News". lbpost.com. 23 February 2020. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  54. ^ "Rocket Lab". Khosla Ventures. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  55. ^ Messier, Doug (30 July 2014). "A Look at Rocket Lab Funding Sources". Parabolic Arc. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  56. ^ "Rocket Lab". Bessemer Venture Partners. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  57. ^ Keall, Chris (3 March 2015). "Lockheed Martin invests in Auckland's Rocket Labs". National Business Review. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  58. ^ Foust, Jeff (21 March 2017). "Rocket Lab raises US$75 million to scale up launch vehicle production". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  59. ^ Boyle, Alan (15 November 2018). "Rocket Lab reports US$150 million in fresh funding, cementing space unicorn status". GeekWire. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018 – via Yahoo! Finance.
  60. ^ Harding, Hayley (6 December 2018). "Rocket Lab to begin launching for NASA; construction yet to start at Wallops". DelmarvaNOW.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  61. ^ "Rocket Lab Announces Reusability Plans For Electron Rocket". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  62. ^ Sheetz, Michael (23 November 2021). "Rocket Lab CEO says companies not reusing rockets are making 'a dead-end product'". CNBC. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  63. ^ "Rocket Lab Announces Reusability Plans For Electron Rocket". Rocket Lab. 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  64. ^ a b Sheetz, Michael (6 December 2019). "Rocket Lab 'punched through the wall,' CEO says, passing key milestone in effort to reuse rockets". CNBC. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  65. ^ "NASA Stennis Space Center, Rocket Lab Cut Ribbon on New Tenant Agreement". Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  66. ^ "Rocket Lab Closes Acquisition of Satellite Hardware Manufacturer Sinclair Interplanetary". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  67. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (16 March 2020). "Rocket Lab to acquire smallsat component manufacturer". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  68. ^ "Star Trackers and Reaction Wheels". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  69. ^ a b c d e Foust, Jeff (1 March 2021). "Rocket Lab to go public through SPAC merger and develop medium-lift rocket". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  70. ^ Root, Al; Jasinski, Nicholas (2 March 2021). "Rocket Lab Is a Mini-SpaceX That Investors Can Buy Today". Barrons. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  71. ^ a b "Rocket Lab Unveils Plans for New 8-Ton Class Reusable Rocket for Mega-Constellation Deployment". Business Wire. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  72. ^ a b c d "Rocket Lab begins trading on the Nasdaq, with SPAC merger growing its cash pile". CNBC. 25 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  73. ^ Collett, Mike (6 December 2021). "Rocket Lab Begins Trading on Nasdaq". Go Build. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  74. ^ Wall, Mike (last update) (22 March 2021). "Rocket Lab launches 7 satellites to orbit". Space.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  75. ^ "Rocket Lab Successfully Launches U.S. Space Force Mission". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  76. ^ Foust, Jeff (28 February 2024). "Rocket Lab pushing for first Neutron launch in 2024". SpaceNews. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  77. ^ a b "Rocket Lab USA Inc (RKLB) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript Highlights: Soaring Revenues and ..." Yahoo Finance. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  78. ^ "Rocket Lab to Expand Colorado Footprint with New Space Systems Complex". Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  79. ^ "Rocket Lab to acquire Planetary Systems Corp". 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  80. ^ "Rocket Lab Completes Their Acquisition Of SolAero Holdings". Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  81. ^ "There And Back Again". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  82. ^ Korn, Jennifer (2 May 2022). "Rocket Lab says it just used a helicopter to catch a rocket booster as it plummeted back to Earth". CNN. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  83. ^ Grush, Loren (2 May 2022). "Rocket Lab will try to catch a falling rocket with a helicopter today". The Verge. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  84. ^ Wall, Mike (2 May 2022). "Epic catch! Rocket Lab snags falling booster with helicopter after 34-satellite launch". Space.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  85. ^ "Rocket Lab helicopter catches rocket booster, then drops it". Aljazeera. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  86. ^ Chang, Kenneth (3 May 2022). "Catch and Release: Rocket Lab Grabs Booster Falling From Space With a Helicopter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  87. ^ a b "Rocket Lab Seeks to Answer 'Are We Alone?' by Launching First Private Mission to Venus". Gizmodo. 25 August 2022. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  88. ^ Whittington, Mark R. (11 September 2022). "Rocket Lab to conduct first private mission to Venus". The Hill. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  89. ^ "Rocket Lab Probe". Venus Cloud Life. MIT. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  90. ^ "Rocket Lab Opens Engine Facility". 17 October 2023.
  91. ^ Jewett, Rachel (5 October 2023). "Rocket Lab Opens Engine Factory Acquired from Virgin Orbit". Via Satellite. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  92. ^ "Rocket Lab leverages vertical integration to land $515M military satellite contract". TechCrunch. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  93. ^ "Rocket Lab Makes its Defense Prime Debut with $0.5 Billion Contract to Design and Build Satellite Constellation for Space Development Agency". Business Wire. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  94. ^ "x.com".
  95. ^ Roulette, Joey (30 September 2022). "Rocket Lab to fire up first tests of new engine next year – CEO". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  96. ^ "Rocket Lab Unveils Spacecraft Bus Lineup". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  97. ^ "Rutherford Engine Test Fire". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  98. ^ "The Kick Stage: Responsible Orbital Deployment". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  99. ^ Etherington, Darrell (13 May 2020). "Rocket Lab tests new hyperCurie engine that will power its deep space delivery vehicle". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  100. ^ Gebhardt, Chris (2 December 2021). "Neutron switches to methane/oxygen, 1 Meganewton Archimedes engine revealed". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  101. ^ "Rocket Lab Completes Archimedes Engine Build, Begins Engine Test Campaign". www.businesswire.com. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  102. ^ Pennington, Phil (13 November 2024). "Rocket Lab US headquarters threatens NZ academic with defamation action". Radio New Zealand.
  103. ^ "Rocket Lab Celebrates Rich Ten-Year History". Rocket Lab USA. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  104. ^ "View All Details". app.companiesoffice.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  105. ^ Henry, Caleb (23 March 2016). "Rocket Lab Completes Flight Qualification for Electron's Rutherford Engine". Satellite Today. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  106. ^ Ryan, Sophie (29 July 2014). "NZ to get its own space programme by 2015". The New Zealand Herald. APNZ. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  107. ^ Bradley, Grant (15 April 2015). "Rocket Lab unveils world's first battery rocket engine". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  108. ^ Grush, Loren (15 April 2015). "A 3D-Printed, Battery-Powered Rocket Engine". Popular Science. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  109. ^ "Engine, Rutherford, Rocket Lab | National Air and Space Museum". airandspace.si.edu. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  110. ^ Botsford End, Rae (24 March 2016). "Rocket Lab's Rutherford Engine Qualified for Flight". Spaceflight Insider. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  111. ^ Clark, Stephen (25 May 2017). "Maiden flight of Rocket Lab's small satellite launcher reaches space". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  112. ^ "Rocket Lab Completes Post-Flight Analysis". Rocket Lab. 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  113. ^ Foust, Jeff (7 August 2017). "Telemetry glitch kept first Electron rocket from reaching orbit". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  114. ^ Masunaga, Samantha (25 May 2017). "Rocket Lab's Electron rocket reaches space, but not orbit, in first test flight". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  115. ^ Ryan, Holly (21 January 2018). "Blast off! Rocket Lab successfully reaches orbit". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  116. ^ Grush, Loren (24 January 2018). "Rocket Lab secretly launched a disco ball satellite on its latest test flight". The Verge. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  117. ^ Kramer, Miriam (22 March 2018). "The Humanity Star satellite has fallen back to Earth after its short mission in space". Mashable. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  118. ^ Chang, Kenneth (11 November 2018). "Rocket Lab's Modest Launch Is Giant Leap for Small Rocket Business". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  119. ^ Foust, Jeff (4 July 2020). "Rocket Lab Electron launch fails". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  120. ^ "Rocket Lab recovers booster after launch with 30 small satellites – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  121. ^ Foust, Jeff (19 November 2020). "Rocket Lab launches Electron in test of booster recovery". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  122. ^ "Rocket Lab suffers failure on Electron's 20th mission". NASASpaceFlight.com. 15 May 2021. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  123. ^ Clark, Stephen (15 May 2021). "Two BlackSky satellites lost on Rocket Lab launch failure – Spaceflight Now". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  124. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (15 September 2022). "Rocket Lab launches radar satellite to orbit on 30th Electron mission". Space.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  125. ^ Alamalhodaei, Aria (19 September 2023). "Rocket Lab's Electron suffers first failure in over two years". TechCrunch. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  126. ^ Foust, Jeff (15 December 2023). "Electron returns to flight with successful launch of Japanese radar imaging satellite". SpaceNews. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  127. ^ "Rocket Lab Helicopter Was Unable to Catch Booster Before it Fell Into The Pacific". Bloomberg.com. 4 November 2022. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  128. ^ Foust, Jeff (24 March 2023). "Rocket Lab launches BlackSky satellites". SpaceNews. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  129. ^ Foust, Jeff (13 July 2023). "Rocket Lab takes another step towards reusability on next Electron launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  130. ^ a b c "HASTE". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  131. ^ "Scout's Arrow". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  132. ^ "Rocket Lab Q3 Investor presentation" (PDF). investors.rocketlabusa.com. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  133. ^ "Rocket Lab Adds New HASTE Launch from Virginia for the Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  134. ^ updated, Meghan Bartels last (1 March 2021). "Rocket Lab just unveiled plans for a big new rocket called Neutron that could fly astronauts". Space.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  135. ^ a b c "Neutron". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  136. ^ "Investor Day presentation" (PDF). Rocket lab investor day. 21 September 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  137. ^ Sheetz, Michael (2 December 2021). "Rocket Lab gives first look at plans for bigger, reusable Neutron rocket as it takes on SpaceX". CNBC. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  138. ^ Foust, Jeff (14 August 2023). "Rocket Lab sees Virgin Orbit facility as "scaling enabler" for Neutron". SpaceNews. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  139. ^ "Rocket Lab's Neutron Rocket's Innovative Design Explained by Peter Beck – CEO of Rocket Lab". YouTube. 21 December 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  140. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (8 March 2022). "Rocket Lab will build Neutron, a next-generation reusable booster, in Virginia". Space.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  141. ^ "Rocket Lab Breaks Ground on Neutron Production Complex in Wallops, Virginia". Business Wire. 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  142. ^ "x.com".
  143. ^ "Rocket Lab Completes Archimedes Engine Build, Begins Engine Test Campaign". www.businesswire.com. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  144. ^ Cooper, Tracy (30 November 2009). "NZ's first space rocket launches". Waikato Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  145. ^ "Ātea-1 technical specifications". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010.
  146. ^ "Rocket project gears for take off". The New Zealand Herald. 15 August 2007. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  147. ^ Goldsmith, Rob (16 November 2009). "Rocket lab primed to launch New Zealand's first rocket into space". Space Fellowship. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  148. ^ Vance, Ashlee (29 June 2017). "At 18, He Strapped a Rocket Engine to His Bike. Now He's Taking on SpaceX". Bloomberg Business. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  149. ^ "Rocket Lab's Atea-1 New Zealand's First Rocket Takes A Dive". Satnews. 2 December 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  150. ^ a b "Satnews Publishers: Daily Satellite News". www.satnews.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  151. ^ Gebhardt, Chris (25 May 2017). "Rocket Lab's Electron conducts inaugural flight from New Zealand". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  152. ^ Keall, Chris (3 December 2009). "Coromandel, we have a problem: hunt on for missing rocket". National Business Review. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016.
  153. ^ "New Zealand company heads to space with first launch". IT Wire. 1 December 2009. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  154. ^ "Ä€tea-1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  155. ^ "Boaties urged to look out for rocket payload". Otago Daily Times Online News. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  156. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  157. ^ "Ātea-1". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  158. ^ Foust, Jeff (8 April 2019). "Rocket Lab unveils Photon smallsat bus". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  159. ^ "Varda Space Industries". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  160. ^ "Photon". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  161. ^ 73 International Astronautical Congress (IAC) (18 September 20022), ESCAPADE: A Low-Cost Formation at Mars, Retrieved 21 October 2023
  162. ^ "x.com".
  163. ^ "Photon". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  164. ^ "Rocket Lab to deliver payloads to the Moon and beyond with Photon". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  165. ^ "Satellite Solutions". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  166. ^ Etherington, Darrell (13 May 2020). "Rocket Lab tests new hyperCurie engine that will power its deep space delivery vehicle". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  167. ^ Beck, Peter. Rocket Lab SmallSat Update and Q&A. youtube.com. 38 minutes in. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  168. ^ "NASA Awards Contract to Launch CubeSat to Moon from Virginia – NASA". Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  169. ^ "CAPSTONE". Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  170. ^ "What is CAPSTONE?". Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  171. ^ "Rocket Lab to Launch NASA Funded Commercial Moon Mission from New Zealand". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  172. ^ Neal, Mihir (7 August 2021). "NASA, Rocket Lab move first Artemis Moon launch – CAPSTONE – to New Zealand". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  173. ^ "CAPSTONE Launches to Test New Orbit for NASA's Artemis Moon Missions". Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  174. ^ "NZ-launched satellite reaches moon – after a couple of hairy moments". NZ Herald. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  175. ^ Foust, Jeff (25 July 2023). "CAPSTONE working well more than a year after launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  176. ^ Chirgwin, Richard. "Kiwis demo DARPA-funded rocket project". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  177. ^ a b "Rocket Lab profile: The little aerospace firm that could". ig.space. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  178. ^ Messier, Doug (1 August 2014). "A Closer Look at Rocket Labs' Technical Development". Parabolic Arc. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  179. ^ US patent 20120234196, Peter Joseph Beck & Adam Michael Berry, "Viscous Liquid Monopropellant", published 14 March 2012, assigned to Rocket Lab USA Inc. 
  180. ^ "Viscous Liquid Monopropellant".
  181. ^ a b "Instant Eyes™ Receives Popular Science "Best of What's New" Honor – AmericaSpace". www.americaspace.com. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  182. ^ "INSTANT EYES – Rocket Lab". KevinJamesNg. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  183. ^ "Rocket Lab | About Us". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  184. ^ "Army unit flies new unmanned aircraft in Iraq". DVIDS. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  185. ^ "Instant Eye". www.defense.gov. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  186. ^ "Rocket Lab Receives Popular Science "Best of What's New"". www.scoop.co.nz. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  187. ^ Foust, Jeff (8 October 2024). "NASA awards Rocket Lab study contract for Mars Sample Return". SpaceNews. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  188. ^ Dodd, Tim (11 October 2018). "Exclusive Inside Look at Rocket Lab's Previously-secret new Mega Factory!". Everyday Astronaut. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018. Although Rocket Lab's engines and avionics are built in Huntington Beach, California, the final assembly of the vehicle is done here in Auckland–A fitting choice, as they're currently only launching from their Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, some 500 km away
  189. ^ a b c d e Gebhardt, Chris (17 October 2018). "Rocket Lab selects Wallops as first U.S. launch site, readies Electron for November launch". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  190. ^ Alamalhodaei, Aria (1 September 2021). "Rocket Lab boosts its space systems division in quest to become an 'end-to-end space company'". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  191. ^ "Avionics Quality Inspector". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  192. ^ a b c "Launch: Payload Users Guide" (PDF). Rocketlab. August 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  193. ^ "Rocket Lab USA Poised to Change the Space Industry". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  194. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (13 November 2019). "Rocket Lab introduces robotic manufacturing system to increase Electron production". SpaceNews. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  195. ^ "Composites Manufacturing Processes". CompositesLab. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  196. ^ a b Etherington, Darrell (13 November 2019). "Rocket Lab's new 'Rosie the Robot' speeds up launch vehicle production – by a lot". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  197. ^ a b Howell, Elizabeth. "SpaceX Competitor's 'Rosie the Robot' To Pump Out Rocket Parts Every 12 Hours". Forbes. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  198. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (21 November 2019). "SpaceX Competitor's "Rosie the Robot" To Pump Out Rocket Parts Every 12 Hours". Forbes. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  199. ^ "Rocket Lab to Take Next Major Step Toward Electron Reusability by Launching Pre-Flown Engine". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  200. ^ "'From sea to sky': Rocket Lab takes over SailGP manufacturing facility in Warkworth". Newshub. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  201. ^ "Rocket Lab acquires SailGP Technologies facilities and team in Warkworth, New Zealand". SailGP. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  202. ^ "Rocket Lab Opens Engine Development Center in Long Beach". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  203. ^ "Rocket Lab to Establish Space Structures Complex in Baltimore County to Supply Advanced Composite Products Internally and to Broader Space Industry". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  204. ^ Tegler, Eric. "In Leasing Lockheed's Maryland Factory, Rocket Lab Is "Laying Copper"". Forbes. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  205. ^ "Solar Solutions". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  206. ^ "Rocket Lab Opens New Space Systems Complex in Littleton | Built In Colorado". www.builtincolorado.com. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  207. ^ Foust, Jeff (16 November 2021). "Rocket Lab to acquire Planetary Systems Corp". SpaceNews. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  208. ^ Etherington, Darrell (16 March 2020). "Rocket Lab to acquire satellite hardware maker Sinclair Interplanetary". TechCrunch. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  209. ^ Foust, Jeff (2 September 2021). "Rocket Lab expands spacecraft component production". SpaceNews. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  210. ^ "Launch Experience". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  211. ^ "Rocket Lab opens second launch pad at Mahia, lands US$143m contract". NZ Herald. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  212. ^ Masunaga, Samantha (26 September 2016). "Rocket Lab finishes launch complex in New Zealand". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  213. ^ Malik, Tariq (9 December 2022). "Rocket Lab now aims to launch 1st Electron booster from US soil on Dec. 18". Space.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  214. ^ "Rocket Lab to move launch site to North Island". RNZ. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  215. ^ Thomas, Lauren (1 July 2015). "Space Base in New Zealand Picked to Start Private Trips to Orbit". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  216. ^ Gregory, Debbie; Ashton, Andrew (24 November 2015). "Rocket Lab chooses Mahia for space launches". Gisborne Herald. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  217. ^ McNicol, Hamish (18 September 2016). "New Zealand space industry prepared for takeoff". stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  218. ^ Cofield, Calla (26 September 2016). "Rocket Lab Opens Private Orbital Launch Site in New Zealand". Space.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  219. ^ Boyle, Alan (18 December 2019). "Rocket Lab begins construction of a second launch pad at its New Zealand complex". geekwire.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  220. ^ a b "Rocket Lab on Twitter: Your pad or mine? Introducing Launch Complex 1 Pad B". Twitter. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  221. ^ "Test & Launch Operations Engineer". rocketcrew.space. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  222. ^ "I Can't Believe It's Not Optical". Supercluster. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  223. ^ "Maiden flight of Rocket Lab's small satellite launcher reaches space – Spaceflight Now". Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  224. ^ "Rocket Lab Officially Opens Third Launch Pad, First Mission Scheduled to Launch Within a Week". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  225. ^ "Rocket Lab Opens Launch Complex 2, Confirms U.S. Air Force Payload as First Electron Mission from U.S. Soil". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  226. ^ Foust, Jeff (12 December 2019). "Rocket Lab inaugurates U.S. launch site". SpaceNews. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  227. ^ "Rocket Lab Successfully Launches First Electron Mission from U.S. Soil". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  228. ^ Harwood, William (24 January 2023). "Rocket Lab launches 3 satellites in first mission from U.S. soil". CBS News. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  229. ^ "Stronger Together". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  230. ^ "Scout's Arrow". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  231. ^ Pendlebury, Dani (20 February 2023). "Hillis-Carnes Provides Extensive Work for MARS Launch Pad 0D at NASA Wallops Flight Facility". Hillis Carnes. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  232. ^ "Rocket Lab Selects Virginia for Neutron Launch Site & Extensive Manufacturing Complex". Rocket Lab. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  233. ^ "Rocket Lab General Discussion Thread". NASASpaceflight. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  234. ^ "x.com".
  235. ^ "x.com".
  236. ^ "x.com".
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rocket Lab.
  • Official website  
  • Rocket Lab on Twitter  
  • Business data for Rocket Lab USA, Inc.:
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rocket_Lab&oldid=1262383205"