Rocket Lab Usa Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has shipped its first Gen-3 satellite to Rocket Lab for an expected February launch from New Zealand. The Gen-3 satellite represents a significant advancement in space-based intelligence, offering 35-centimeter very high-resolution imagery combined with rapid-revisit capabilities and AI-enabled analytics.

The new constellation will enhance BlackSky's service offerings with features including automated detection and classification of vehicles, aircraft, and vessels. The system includes low-latency intersatellite communications for last-minute tasking and advanced attitude control systems for improved operational efficiency.

According to CEO Brian O'Toole, the company has secured significant contracted backlog for Gen-3 services from defense and intelligence customers worldwide. Following the commissioning of the first satellite, BlackSky plans to maintain a regular launch schedule throughout the year as additional Gen-3 satellites complete production.

Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) is supporting Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar mission with essential software and hardware components. The company has provided its MAX Flight and MAX Ground Data Software suites to support the spacecraft's 45-day journey to the Moon. Rocket Lab also supplied three high-efficiency photovoltaic assemblies that will deliver 400W of power over 1,470 operational hours for the lunar lander.

The mission team will support Firefly's execution of multiple burns and manage orbit determination and attitude control throughout the cruise and landing phases. Blue Ghost mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, aimed at delivering scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the Moon.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has secured a contract with German company OroraTech for a dedicated Electron mission to launch eight satellites into a 550km orbit. The launch, scheduled from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, will be completed within four months of contract signing to meet season-sensitive wildfire detection requirements.

OroraTech is developing a constellation equipped with thermal infrared cameras for 24/7 global wildfire monitoring. This mission will deploy their OTC-P1 satellite plane, expanding their capabilities for first responders, governments, and industry partners. The company aims to expand to 100 satellites by 2028.

This mission adds to Rocket Lab's 2025 launch manifest, which includes ongoing contracts with Synspective, Kineis, and BlackSky, a U.S. Space Force responsive mission, and the debut launch of their new Neutron rocket.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has scheduled its first mission of 2025, the 'IOT 4 You and Me' launch, for February 4th NZDT from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. This mission marks the fourth of five dedicated Electron launches for French IoT constellation operator Kinéis under a multi-launch contract to deploy 25 IoT satellites.

The company successfully completed three previous launches for Kinéis in June, September, and November 2024, deploying 15 satellites. This upcoming launch will be Rocket Lab's 59th Electron mission overall. The company aims to exceed its 2024 record of 16 launches across Electron and HASTE platforms in 2025.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has successfully deployed its second Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries' W-2 mission, which launched on January 14 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The spacecraft is supporting payloads for the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA, including a spectrometer and an expanded pharmaceutical reactor.

The mission follows Rocket Lab's first successful Varda mission, which completed the world's first orbital manufacturing outside the International Space Station. The Pioneer spacecraft provides critical functions for Varda's 120kg capsule, including power, communications, propulsion, and attitude control. After orbital processing, the spacecraft will guide Varda's capsule for deorbit and recovery at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia.

This marks the second of four spacecraft ordered by Varda, with the third spacecraft already completed and awaiting launch. The Pioneer spacecraft was built at Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Production Complex in Long Beach, California, integrating various company-developed components and systems.

Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB), a leading space services company, has announced its participation in six major financial conferences during Q1 2025. The company's senior executives will represent RKLB at prestigious events including:

- 27th Needham Growth Conference (New York, January 14)
- TD Cowen 46th Annual Aerospace & Defense Conference (Washington D.C., February 12)
- Citi's 2025 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference (Miami, February 18)
- Citizens JMP Technology Conference (San Francisco, March 3)
- KeyBanc Emerging Technology Summit (San Francisco, March 4)
- Bank of America Global Industrials Conference (London, March 18-20)

The presentations will be available for replay on the company's investor relations website. Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab has established itself as a comprehensive space company, operating the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually. The company has successfully deployed over 200 payloads and maintains three launch pads across New Zealand and Virginia.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has reached a mutual agreement with NASA to include Neutron launch services under their existing VADR (Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare) contract. The new medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron can deploy 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit and is designed for constellation deployment, national security missions, and science payloads.

Neutron's selection builds on previous awards, including an on-ramp to the United States Space Force's OSP-4 program with a $986m IDIQ contract. The rocket is also positioned for potential inclusion in the U.S. Government's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Lane 1 program, valued at $5.6 billion over five years. The launch site at Wallops Island, Virginia, is nearing completion, with Neutron's debut launch scheduled for mid-2025.

Rocket Lab National Security has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta program. This milestone advances the $515 million contract awarded in early 2024 to deliver 18 advanced data transport satellites for the U.S. Department of Defense's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).

The comprehensive PDR covered mission architecture, space vehicle design, launch operations, and ground systems. The satellites will utilize Rocket Lab's vertically integrated subsystems including solar panels, composite structures, star trackers, and other components. The PWSA constellation is designed to provide secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities in low-Earth orbit.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has been selected as part of a Kratos-led team for a five-year OTA contract under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 program. The total potential contract value is $1.45 billion over five years.

The program, established by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, aims to create an affordable flight test bed for hypersonic testing. Rocket Lab will provide systems engineering, assembly, integration, test services, mission planning, and launch services using their HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) rocket.

HASTE, a modified version of the Electron rocket, features carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed engines, with an increased payload capacity of up to 700 kg. The launches will be conducted from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, Virginia.