Rocket Lab Usa Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has unveiled its expanded suite of space-grade radio frequency (RF) communications systems, called Frontier radios. These flight-proven, software-defined radios are designed for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C), featuring over 13 years of flight heritage and available in L-, S-, C-, X-, and Ka-band models.

The Frontier radios, adapted from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's Frontier Lite radio, are compact, lightweight, and compatible with major ground stations including the Deep Space Network. They have been successfully deployed in various missions including NASA's CAPSTONE, Europa Clipper, and Rocket Lab's Photon Pathstone.

The radio system was selected as a 2024 R&D 100 Award recipient and will be utilized in upcoming projects, including Viasat's hybrid space communications network demonstrations for NASA's Communications Services Project.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has been selected by the U.S. Space Force to compete for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program, a contract with a maximum value of $5.6 billion through June 2029. The company will participate with its Neutron rocket, a 13-ton reusable carbon composite medium-lift launch vehicle capable of deploying payloads up to 13,000 kg.

As one of only five launch providers selected, Rocket Lab receives a $5 million task order for capabilities assessment. The NSSL program plans to award a minimum of 30 missions within its contracting period, with potential extension through 2034. Neutron's first launch is scheduled for the second half of the year from Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, Virginia, marking the first NSSL program launch from this region.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has successfully completed its fifth launch of 2025, deploying eight satellites for German wildfire detection company OroraTech in a mission titled 'Finding Hot Wildfires Near You'. The launch occurred from Complex 1, Pad B in New Zealand on March 27, 2025.

The mission, executed within just four months of contract signing, deployed the satellites to a 550 km circular low Earth orbit. This marks Rocket Lab's 63rd launch overall, bringing their total satellite deployment count to 224, with 21 satellites deployed in Q1 2025 alone.

The launch represents OroraTech's constellation expansion, enhancing their global wildfire monitoring capabilities through advanced thermal sensors. This is Rocket Lab's third Electron launch within two weeks, demonstrating increased launch cadence as they target 20+ launches in 2025.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has announced a rapid-turnaround mission named 'Finding Hot Wildfires Near You' for OroraTech, scheduled to launch on March 27th UTC from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The mission, contracted just four months ago, will deploy eight Constellation Phase 1 satellites to a 550km orbit.

The satellites will enhance OroraTech's wildfire detection and monitoring capabilities, utilizing AI-driven analytics and thermal infrared cameras to provide near-real-time data for first responders, governments, and stakeholders worldwide. This deployment aims to improve global wildfire response and protection of people, forests, and infrastructure.

This mission marks Rocket Lab's fifth launch of 2025 and 63rd Electron launch overall. Upon completion, Electron will have delivered a total of 224 satellites to space.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has successfully completed its fifth and final dedicated Electron launch for French IoT constellation operator Kinéis, deploying the last 5 satellites of a 25-satellite constellation to Low Earth Orbit. The 'High Five' mission launched from Mahia, New Zealand on March 18, 2025, marking Rocket Lab's fourth launch of 2025 and 62nd Electron launch overall.

The entire Kinéis constellation deployment was accomplished in less than a year through five dedicated launches. The satellites, positioned at 650 km orbit, will enable IoT connectivity and object location tracking worldwide, supporting applications like forest fire detection, water resource management, infrastructure monitoring, and logistics tracking.

Kinéis plans to launch its commercial IoT satellite connectivity services on June 1st. This mission demonstrates Rocket Lab's ability to provide rapid constellation deployment with customer-selected launch parameters for optimal coverage.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has successfully deployed its third Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries' W-3 mission, launched on March 14 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This deployment comes just 15 days after the successful re-entry of Varda's W-2 mission.

The Pioneer spacecraft supports Varda's 120kg manufacturing capsule, providing essential functions including power, communications, and propulsion. The capsule is designed for in-space manufacturing of pharmaceutical products in microgravity conditions. The mission leverages Rocket Lab's vertically integrated spacecraft components and subsystems.

This marks Rocket Lab's third mission for Varda, following W-1's successful completion in February 2024 and W-2's landing in South Australia on February 27, 2025. The fourth contracted Pioneer spacecraft is currently in final assembly at Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Production Complex in Long Beach, California.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has successfully completed its 61st Electron mission, launching the QPS-SAR-9 spacecraft for Japanese customer iQPS from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand on March 15, 2025.

The mission, named 'The Lightning God Reigns', deployed the satellite to a 575km circular Earth orbit. This marks the second launch for iQPS, following their first collaboration in December 2023. The launch is part of a significant agreement comprising eight new launches scheduled throughout 2025-2026, with five more planned for 2025 and two for 2026.

The launches will contribute to iQPS' ambitious plan to create a constellation of up to 36 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, designed for Earth observation in all weather conditions, day and night, providing near real-time data globally. The next iQPS mission is scheduled for May 2025.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has unveiled two new software platforms: InterMission and MAX Constellation, enhancing its space systems capabilities. These platforms build on the company's extensive experience, backed by over 250 cumulative years of on-orbit flight heritage.

InterMission is a ground data and space operations platform designed for mission monitoring, telemetry recording, and real-time spacecraft tracking. It features enhanced security measures including encryption and role-based access control.

MAX Constellation evolves from Rocket Lab's proven MAX Flight Software, offering improved performance and cybersecurity for constellation-class programs. It includes ODySSy, a digital twin platform for spacecraft simulation. Both software suites are available for the Beyond Gravity Constellation On-Board Computer, providing an integrated solution for satellite operations.

The company's flight software has been utilized in various high-profile missions, including NASA's CAPSTONE, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost 1, and DARPA's Blackjack Program.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has secured a contract from Airbus Constellation Satellites to supply high-efficiency solar panels for 100 OneWeb Low Earth Orbit satellites for Eutelsat Group. The company will provide 200 solar panels, including carbon composite panel substrates, solar cells, and photovoltaic assemblies, manufactured at their Albuquerque facility.

The panels will generate approximately 80 kW of power for the constellation, which aims to provide high-speed, low-latency global internet access to remote areas. This follows Rocket Lab's previous delivery of over 450 shipsets of solar array panels to Airbus for their first OneWeb fleet. The new satellites are targeted for delivery in 2026.