Rocket Lab Awarded R&D Funding from Canadian Space Agency to Develop New Reaction Wheel for Medium-Class Satellites

Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) was awarded funding by the Canadian Space Agency on Dec 9, 2025 to develop a new medium-class reaction wheel targeting a minimum angular momentum capacity of 25 Nms.

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) was awarded funding by the Canadian Space Agency on Dec 9, 2025 to develop a new medium-class reaction wheel targeting a minimum angular momentum capacity of 25 Nms. The device is designed to support 500–1,000 kg satellites and will be developed and qualified at Rocket Lab's Toronto facility. Rocket Lab will receive $999,951 CAD from a broader $14.2 million CAD CSA investment in Canadian space innovation and was one of 18 selected companies.

This work builds on Rocket Lab's existing reaction-wheel heritage across >300 satellites and follows its 2020 acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary.

Argus Dec 9 session

+3.63% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – RKLB

In the Dec 9 session, RKLB gained 3.63%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights Rocket Lab’s expansion in space systems with a CSA-funded reaction whee...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Rocket Lab’s expansion in space systems with a CSA-funded reaction wheel targeting 500kg–1,000kg satellites and at least 25 Nms capacity. The $999,951 CAD award builds on its Toronto facility’s 20+ year hardware heritage and an installed base in 300+ satellites. In context of recent record launch cadence and Mars mission contributions, investors may watch future contract wins, product qualifications, and execution against its growing systems portfolio.

Key Figures

Reaction wheel capacity: 25 Nms angular momentum Supported satellite mass range: 500kg–1,000kg CSA program investment: $14.2 million CAD +5 more

Reaction wheel capacity

25 Nms angular momentum

Targeted minimum capacity for new medium-class reaction wheel

Supported satellite mass range

500kg–1,000kg

Design range for satellites using new reaction wheel

CSA program investment

$14.2 million CAD

Total broader investment across 18 Canadian space companies

Rocket Lab CSA funding

$999,951 CAD

Funding awarded for reaction wheel development at Toronto facility

Companies selected

18 companies

Rocket Lab among selected firms in CSA program

Satellites flown with wheels

300+ satellites

Existing Rocket Lab reaction wheels already flown in orbit

Smallest satellite size

1kg CubeSats

Lower end of spacecraft mass using current reaction wheels

Facility heritage

20+ years

Toronto facility role in Canada’s satellite hardware ecosystem

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Nov 24

5 events

1. Nov 24

   JAXA launch schedule

   24h Move

   +0.3%

   First dedicated JAXA Electron launch window and growing 2025 launch cadence.

2. Nov 20

   Record launch pace

   24h Move

   -9.5%

   Two Electron launches in two days, setting new annual launch record.

3. Nov 20

   Second launch notice

   24h Move

   -9.5%

   Announcement of another Electron mission within 48 hours, 18th annual launch.

4. Nov 18

   HASTE defense mission

   24h Move

   -1.2%

   Successful HASTE mission for DIU and MDA testing hypersonic technologies.

5. Nov 13

   Mars ESCAPADE launch

   24h Move

   -9.4%

   Twin Rocket Lab-built spacecraft began Mars journey for NASA and UC Berkeley.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

reaction wheel, angular momentum, low Earth orbit, attitude determination and control

4 terms

reaction wheel technical

"to develop a new medium-class reaction wheel, with targeted minimum angular"

A reaction wheel is a motor-driven spinning flywheel inside a satellite or spacecraft that changes its own speed to gently rotate and point the vehicle without using fuel. For investors, reaction wheels matter because their performance, reliability and lifespan affect a satellite’s ability to carry out missions, avoid costly failures or replacements, and influence the operating costs and revenue potential of companies that build or operate space assets.

angular momentum technical

"with targeted minimum angular momentum capacity of 25 Nms, designed to"

Angular momentum is a measure of how much rotational motion an object has — think of it as the rotational equivalent of momentum for things that spin. Investors care because it governs the stability and performance of rotating systems (like turbines, engines, satellites and robotics), so it affects product reliability, energy efficiency and regulatory compliance for companies whose value depends on mechanical or aerospace technology.

low Earth orbit technical

"payloads operating in low Earth orbit and beyond. Awarded through the CSA’s"

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.

attitude determination and control technical

"delivering best-in-class satellite attitude determination and control hardware to"

Attitude determination and control is the system that tells a spacecraft which way it is pointing and then steers or steadies it so instruments, antennas and solar panels face the right directions. For investors, it matters because failures or inefficiencies in these systems can reduce a satellite’s usefulness, shorten its life or require costly fixes, much like a camera on a tripod that can’t be aimed or held steady undermines a photoshoot.

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

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LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has been awarded funding by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to develop a new medium-class reaction wheel, with targeted minimum angular momentum capacity of 25 Nms, designed to support 500kg – 1,000kg satellites with larger payloads operating in low Earth orbit and beyond.

Awarded through the CSA’s Space Technology Development Program to Rocket Lab’s Canadian subsidiary, the contract aims to accelerate the development of Canadian-designed and built space technologies and strengthen the domestic commercial supply chain. Rocket Lab was one of only 18 companies selected as a part of a broader $14.2 million CAD investment in Canadian space innovation. Rocket Lab will receive $999,951 CAD toward the development of the new reaction wheel which will be developed and qualified at Rocket Lab’s Toronto facility, which has been a cornerstone of Canada’s satellite hardware ecosystem for more than two decades.

President of Rocket Lab USA, Brad Clevenger said: “The space industry is rapidly evolving and so is the demand for reliable, flight-proven components for satellites of all sizes. We’re proud to support the CSA’s initiative by delivering a Canadian-designed, Canadian-built, cost-effective reaction wheel that builds on more than 20 years of flight heritage. Designed and manufactured in Toronto, this new product will expand our portfolio with a high-performance solution tailored for next-generation applications.”

Rocket Lab currently offers a portfolio of flight-proven and affordable reaction wheels that have flown in more than 300 satellites, ranging from 1kg CubeSats to spacecraft over 1,000 kg. The new reaction wheel will be developed to support larger and wider satellites that experience significant moments of inertia, enabling the Company to serve a growing market segment and deliver even more value as an end-to-end space systems provider.

Since acquiring Toronto-based Sinclair Interplanetary in 2020, Rocket Lab has significantly expanded its footprint in Canada, designing and delivering best-in-class satellite attitude determination and control hardware to spacecraft bound for the Low Earth Orbit, Geostationary orbits, the Moon and Mars.

Rocket Lab Media Contact
Lindsay McLaurin
media@rocketlabusa.com

About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services, spacecraft, payloads and satellite components serving commercial, government, and national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides hypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations; and its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for constellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700 missions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. Rocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange (RKLB). 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, 2024, 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 www.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

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Rocket Lab (RKLB) announce on December 9, 2025 regarding Canada Space Agency funding?

Rocket Lab announced it will receive $999,951 CAD from the Canadian Space Agency to develop a medium-class reaction wheel with a 25 Nms minimum angular momentum capacity.

What satellites will the new Rocket Lab reaction wheel support for RKLB?

The reaction wheel is designed to support medium-class satellites weighing 500–1,000 kg in low Earth orbit and beyond.

Where will Rocket Lab develop and qualify the new reaction wheel for RKLB?

Development and qualification will occur at Rocket Lab’s Toronto facility, described as a long-standing center for Canadian satellite hardware.

How does the new reaction wheel relate to Rocket Lab's prior hardware experience (RKLB)?

Rocket Lab already supplies reaction wheels flown on more than 300 satellites, and the new product builds on that flight heritage.

How large was the CSA program that selected Rocket Lab (RKLB) for funding?

Rocket Lab was one of 18 companies selected as part of a broader $14.2 million CAD investment in Canadian space innovation.