Lintao Zhang/Getty Images News 2024 is a defining year for Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ:RKLB). The company is in a race against time to launch its new Neutron rocket by December 15, 2024 to secure launch contracts under the third phase of the National Space Security Launch program. In addition, the company's Electron rocket is on track to have its busiest year to date as it has completed 2 launches and has 23 additional launches booked this year. With that in mind, management expects Electron launches this year t ...

Once space was no longer the sole province of government but was opened to private enterprise the possibility for real entrepreneurship was born. It is impossible to not be awed by watching a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket returning to the launch pad for reuse. The possibility of real space travel and space tourism has never been greater. Analysts at Morgan Stanley believe the space economy could evolve into a $1 trillion opportunity by 2040.Failures will litter the industry’s evolution, however. Even a wildly succ ...

Shares of tiny rocket-maker Rocket Lab (RKLB -3.62%) took a tiny tumble Tuesday morning, sliding 2.7% through 10:55 a.m. ET on what might have been good news for the company.Last night, NASA announced 15 space companies that will provide it with payload integration services aboard "suborbital rockets, high-altitude balloons, orbital spacecraft and satellites, and, in some instances, suborbital rockets that can accommodate carry people." Rocket Lab was one of the recipients...but only one of many.Who got NAS ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a record of ten launches in 2023, surpassing the previous record of nine launches [89] - The company expects growth in top-line revenue and gross margin expansion in 2024, although this will be offset by increased investment in the Neutron program [9][56] - The adjusted EBITDA positivity is contingent upon successfully launching the first Neutron vehicle [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company signed 25 new launch contracts in 2023, including 18 Electron missions and seven HASTE missions, indicating strong demand for the Electron launch service [90] - The gross margin for the launch business is expected to increase sequentially, but overall gross margin may decline due to the growth in lower-margin space systems contracts [75] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is positioned to increase its launch cadence significantly with two operational launch sites [90] - The company is seeing a shift in customer preference from rideshare missions to dedicated Electron launches, enhancing its market position [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to become a prime contractor, as evidenced by securing a $0.5 billion contract with the Space Development Agency to design and build 18 spacecraft [91] - The company is focusing on vertical integration to control supply chain efficiencies and quality, which is critical for future contracts [92] - The long-term strategy includes moving into the services market, which is projected to be a larger total addressable market compared to launch services [41][42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management emphasized the importance of getting the Neutron vehicle to the launch pad as a critical milestone for future growth and service offerings [50] - The management noted that while there are challenges in the market, they are optimistic about the potential for acquisitions as seller expectations may begin to align with market realities [16][17] Other Important Information - The company is establishing a space structures complex in Maryland to support the production of large composite structures for Neutron and other projects [104] - The company has successfully recovered the first stage of the Electron rocket, which will enhance its operational efficiency and reduce costs [108] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the timeline for Neutron's first flight? - Management indicated that the schedule is aimed for the end of 2024, with significant milestones to be achieved before then [105] Question: How does the company view the spending on Neutron? - The spending is expected to be consistent and increase as the company progresses through 2024, with a total budget of approximately $300 million for the Neutron program [59][60] Question: What are the expectations for future acquisitions? - Management noted that while seller expectations remain high, there are opportunities for strategic acquisitions that align with the company's growth plans [15][16] Question: How is the company positioned in the competitive landscape? - The company aims to be a prime contractor and has reached a critical mass in capabilities to effectively lead missions, which positions it well against competitors [68]

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.10 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.09. This compares to loss of $0.08 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -11.11%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post a loss of $0.09 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.08, delivering a surprise of 11.11%.Over the last four quarters, the company has su ...

An Electron rocket launches the Baby Come Back mission from New Zealand on July 17, 2023.Rocket Lab is making steady progress on the development of its Neutron vehicle, as the company reported fourth-quarter results that saw its contract backlog soar above $1 billion.The space company reported a net loss of $50.5 million, or 10 cents per share, for the quarter. Year over year, Rocket Lab's fourth-quarter net loss widened by about 36% as the company continues to spend heavily to create its Neutron rocket. It ...

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today introduced its family of spacecraft buses, consolidating the custom designs Rocket Lab has developed for multiple customers and missions. The family of spacecraft is the result of more than four years of development into Rocket Lab’s space systems capabilities. “We’ve had the privilege of developing, launching, and operating spacecraft for a broad rang ...

Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO Commission File Number 001-39560 ROCKET LAB USA, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter) Delaware 98-1550340 (State or oth ...

Satellites come in all shapes and sizes, from the 6.2-ton James Webb Space Telescope with its 21-foot-diameter mirror and sunshade the size of a tennis court (fully extended), all the way down to tiny cube-sats that measure just a few inches on a side. So too, the rockets that launch them.Some are big, such as SpaceX's Falcon Heavy. And others are quite small, such as Rocket Lab's (RKLB -1.35%) Electron -- which makes perfect sense. You don't need a giant megarocket to launch some of the smaller satellites ...

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced its custom spacecraft for Varda Space Industries (“Varda”), a leading in-space manufacturing and hypersonic reentry logistics company, successfully returned to Earth the world’s first space manufacturing mission conducted outside of the International Space Station. Rocket Lab conducted in-space operations, deorbit, and reentry positioning maneu ...