MISSION SUCCESS: Rocket Lab Launches 98th Electron Mission

The flight marked Rocket Lab’s third dedicated Electron launch for HawkEye 360 and its 19th successful mission in 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (RKLB) successfully launched its 98th Electron mission, carrying satellites for signals intelligence company HawkEye 360 from New Zealand.

The mission delivered three HAWK satellites to a 520km low Earth orbit. It was Rocket Lab’s third dedicated Electron launch for HawkEye 360 and its 19th successful mission in 2026.

Positive

• Minor point98th Electron mission successfully delivered three HAWK satellites to a 520km low Earth orbit.
• Minor pointThird dedicated HawkEye 360 launch completed another deployment for the existing customer.
• Minor point19 successful missions in 2026 marked Rocket Lab’s launch activity so far this year.

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Satellites delivered: 3 satellites Target orbit: 520km Electron launches: 98th launch +1 more

Satellites delivered

3 satellites

Dedicated HawkEye 360 mission

Target orbit

520km

Low Earth orbit

Electron launches

98th launch

Rocket Lab's Electron mission milestone

Electron missions in 2026

19 launches

Rocket Lab's year-to-date total

Key Terms

signals intelligence, low Earth orbit, gnss, radio frequency

4 terms

signals intelligence technical

"HawkEye 360, a signals intelligence data and analytics company."

Signals intelligence is the collection and analysis of information from intercepted electronic transmissions — such as phone calls, radio messages, radar emissions, and digital data streams — to understand intentions, capabilities or activities. For investors it matters because changes in signals intelligence capabilities or exposure can shift government defense spending, create regulatory or legal risks for technology companies, and reveal cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could affect a firm’s value, much like overhearing a conversation can change how you act.

low Earth orbit technical

"to deliver three HAWK satellites to a 520km low Earth orbit."

Low Earth orbit (LEO) is the region of space close to Earth, roughly from about 160 to 2,000 kilometers above the surface, where satellites and spacecraft circle the planet quickly—think of it as a busy highway just overhead. It matters to investors because many communications, imaging and data services rely on satellites in LEO; their shorter lifespans, lower launch costs, crowded lanes and debris risks directly affect the cost, revenue potential and operational risks of companies that build, launch or use these satellites.

gnss technical

"GNSS jamming detection, radar monitoring, communications mapping"

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, a network of satellites that provide precise location and timing information anywhere on Earth, like a constantly available digital map and clock. It matters to investors because many industries—transportation, agriculture, telecom, finance and defense—rely on this positioning and timing for products, services and critical infrastructure; improvements or disruptions in GNSS can change costs, create new revenue streams, or introduce operational risk.

radio frequency technical

"collect signal data from across the radio frequency (RF) spectrum"

Radio frequency is the band of electromagnetic waves used to send wireless signals, like the invisible ripples that carry radio, mobile phone, Wi‑Fi and some medical-device signals through the air. Investors care because control, licensing, or interference of these frequencies affects how well wireless products and services work, the cost and availability of spectrum rights, and regulatory approvals — all of which can materially influence revenue, competition and risk for companies.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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MAHIA, New Zealand, Oct. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today launched its Electron rocket to deliver a dedicated mission to space for HawkEye 360, a signals intelligence data and analytics company.

The ‘We're Not Hawking Around’ mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 8:11 p.m. NZDT on 23 October 2026, to deliver three HAWK satellites to a 520km low Earth orbit. Operating in tri-satellite formation, HawkEye 360's satellites collect signal data from across the radio frequency (RF) spectrum for maritime tracking, GNSS jamming detection, radar monitoring, communications mapping, and space defense.

Today’s mission was Rocket Lab’s 98th Electron launch and 19^th launch this year, further extending the vehicle’s record as the most prolific launcher globally dedicated to small satellites.

Mission Highlights:

• Proven Constellation Partnership: Today’s launch success marks the third Electron launch dedicated to deploying HawkEye 360’s RF-sensing satellites, underscoring Rocket Lab’s trusted role in scaling commercial constellations for its customers.
• Rapid Launch Cadence: Now at 19 successful missions in 2026 alone, Rocket Lab continues to demonstrate the turnaround speed, high production rate, and schedule assurance demanded by modern commercial satellite companies and defense operators.
• Milestone Small Launch Leadership: This 98^th Electron flight moves Rocket Lab closer to a record 100 launches, solidifying the launch vehicle’s position as the world’s premier, most frequently launched dedicated small orbital rocket.
  
  

‘We’re Not Hawking Around’ launch images: click here

‘We’re Not Hawking Around’ launch broadcast: click here

Rocket Lab Media Contact
Murielle Baker
media@rocketlabusa.com

About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) is an end-to-end space company delivering rockets, satellites, and spacecraft components for commercial, government, and defense missions. Driven by its industry-leading small-lift rockets Electron and HASTE and its upcoming reusable Neutron medium-lift rocket, Rocket Lab delivers reliable and responsive launch for the world’s most important missions from constellation deployment to missile defense. Rocket Lab’s satellites and components have powered more than 1,700 missions in Earth orbit, as well as deep-space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.

Forward Looking Statements 
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at  https://investors.rocketlabcorp.com which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

FAQ

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What did Rocket Lab’s 98th Electron mission deliver?

Rocket Lab’s 98th Electron mission delivered three HAWK satellites for HawkEye 360 to a 520km low Earth orbit. The flight was the third Electron launch dedicated to deploying the customer’s radio-frequency-sensing satellites.