"That's Not A Knife" mission payload The "That's Not A Knife" mission payload: DART AE, a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Australian aerospace engineering firm Hypersonix. LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced its next launch is a dedicated mission on its HASTE rocket for the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The mission, na ...

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab Corporation will release its financial results for Q4 and full year 2025 on February 26, 2026, after U.S. market close, followed by a conference call [1] Company Overview - Rocket Lab is a leading space company providing launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components for commercial, government, and national security markets [3] - The Electron rocket is the most frequently launched orbital small rocket globally, while the HASTE rocket offers hypersonic test launch capabilities for the U.S. government and allies [3] - The Neutron launch vehicle, currently in development, aims to facilitate medium launch capabilities for constellation deployment, national security, and exploration missions [3] - Rocket Lab has supported over 1,700 missions across various sectors, including commercial, defense, and national security, involving GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to celestial bodies like the Moon, Mars, and Venus [3]

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab Corporation has successfully delivered its "Hungry Hippo" captive fairing to Virginia, marking a significant milestone for its Neutron rocket, which is set to revolutionize commercial space access [1][3][4]. Group 1: Neutron Rocket Development - The "Hungry Hippo" fairing has completed qualification testing and is now at Rocket Lab's Neutron Assembly and Integration Complex for further inspections and pre-launch testing [3]. - Neutron is designed to be the world's largest reusable carbon composite rocket, capable of launching up to 13,000 kg (33,000 pounds) of payload for various missions, including national security and satellite internet deployment [5]. - The fairing halves of Neutron remain attached throughout the mission, allowing for rapid reuse and reducing launch costs, which is a world-first for a reusable commercial rocket [5]. Group 2: Industry Impact - Neutron's launch capabilities are expected to enhance competition and innovation in the global space industry, ensuring reliable access to space and strengthening America's industrial base [4]. - The rocket's design aims to address bottlenecks in the global launch market, providing a cost-effective and responsive solution for both commercial and government missions [7]. - Neutron's advanced design includes carbon composite structures and a unique integration of the first stage and payload fairing, maximizing launch cadence and performance for complex satellite deployments [7].

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab Corporation has successfully delivered its "Hungry Hippo" captive fairing to Virginia, marking a significant milestone for its Neutron rocket, which is set to revolutionize commercial space access [1][3][4]. Group 1: Neutron Rocket Development - The "Hungry Hippo" fairing has completed qualification testing and is now at Rocket Lab's Neutron Assembly and Integration Complex for further inspections and pre-launch testing [3]. - Neutron is designed to be the world's largest reusable carbon composite rocket, capable of launching up to 13,000 kg (33,000 pounds) of payload for various missions, including national security and satellite internet deployment [5]. - The fairing halves of Neutron remain attached throughout the mission, allowing for rapid reuse and reducing launch costs, which is a world-first for a reusable commercial rocket [5]. Group 2: Industry Impact - The introduction of Neutron is expected to bring innovation and competition to the global space industry, enhancing America's industrial base and ensuring reliable access to space [4]. - Neutron's design aims to address bottlenecks in the global space industry by providing a cost-effective and responsive launch service for both commercial and government missions [7]. - The rocket's advanced design includes carbon composite structures and a unique upper stage, enabling high-performance satellite deployments, including mega-constellations [7]. Group 3: Company Overview - Rocket Lab is a leading space company that offers launch services, spacecraft, and satellite components for commercial, government, and national security markets [6]. - The company has successfully completed over 1,700 missions, including those for GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus [6].

Core Insights - Rocket Lab Corporation is advancing the development of its Neutron rocket, which is designed for medium launch capabilities [1][4] - The company experienced a rupture in the Stage 1 tank during hydrostatic pressure testing, a common occurrence in qualification testing [2] - Despite the testing failure, there was no significant damage to the test structure or facilities, and production of the next Stage 1 tank is already underway [3] Development and Testing - The qualification testing aims to push the Neutron rocket's systems and structures to their limits to ensure safety and structural integrity for successful launches [2] - The team is currently reviewing the test data to assess the impact on the Neutron launch schedule, with an update expected during the Q4 2025 earnings call in February [3] Company Overview - Rocket Lab is a leading space company providing launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components for commercial, government, and national security markets [4] - The company’s Electron rocket is noted as the most frequently launched orbital small rocket, while the HASTE rocket offers hypersonic test launch capabilities [4] - Rocket Lab has supported over 1,700 missions, including those for GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to celestial bodies [4]

Core Points - Rocket Lab Corporation successfully launched its 21st Electron rocket of the year, setting a new annual launch record with 100% mission success [3][4] - The mission, named 'The Wisdom God Guides', deployed the QPS-SAR-15 satellite for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), enhancing their Earth imaging capabilities [2][4] - Rocket Lab plans to expand its Electron launch services in 2026, targeting more multi-launch constellation deployments and missions for domestic and international space agencies [4] Company Overview - Rocket Lab is a leading space company providing launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components for commercial, government, and national security markets [5] - The Electron rocket is recognized as the world's most frequently launched small-lift orbital rocket, with a total of 79 missions completed [4][5] - The company is also developing the Neutron launch vehicle to support medium launch capabilities for various missions [5]

Core Insights - Rocket Lab has secured its largest contract to date, valued at $816 million, from the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) to design and manufacture 18 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 (TRKT3) program, enhancing its position in national security space [1][2]. Contract Details - The contract includes a base value of $806 million and options worth up to $10.45 million, focusing on advanced missile warning, tracking, and defense sensors for global detection of missile threats, including hypersonic systems [2]. - Each satellite will utilize Rocket Lab's next-generation Phoenix infrared sensor payload and will be equipped with advanced StarLite space protection sensors to ensure mission resilience [2]. Manufacturing and Technology - Rocket Lab's satellites will be built on its Lightning platform, utilizing vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities to achieve speed, cost efficiency, and quality [3]. - The company designs and produces all major components in-house, allowing for rapid scaling of production while maintaining control over costs and schedules [3]. Strategic Importance - The Tranche 3 Tracking Layer constellation is part of the U.S. Space Force's strategy to counter evolving global threats, and Rocket Lab's role is seen as critical in delivering affordable and resilient space systems [4]. - The contract signifies Rocket Lab's unique position as the only commercial provider producing both spacecraft and payloads in-house for the SDA Tracking Layer, marking a shift in national security space program execution [4]. Financial Momentum - This contract builds on Rocket Lab's existing $515 million award for the SDA's Transport Layer-Beta Tranche 2 program, bringing the total contract value awarded by SDA to over $1.3 billion [5]. - The strong confidence in Rocket Lab's capabilities is reflected in the substantial contract values awarded, indicating its growing role as a prime contractor for the U.S. Space Force [5][6].

Core Insights - Rocket Lab successfully launched the STP-S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force five months ahead of schedule, enhancing U.S. space superiority technologies [1][3][4] Launch Details - The launch, named 'Don't Be Such A Square', took place on December 18, 2025, deploying four DiskSat spacecraft to a 550km low Earth orbit for the Department of War's Space Test Program [2][4] - The mission was managed by the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command and funded by NASA's Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems program [2][4] Company Performance - This launch marked Rocket Lab's 20th Electron launch of the year and 78th overall, setting a new annual launch record for the company [5] - Rocket Lab has conducted four launches in the past three months, all serving national security and defense technology advancement objectives [4][5] Strategic Importance - The collaboration between Rocket Lab, NASA, and other partners is crucial for proving advanced technologies in space, which will be integrated into future operational Space Force systems [5] - The launch underscores Rocket Lab's commitment to providing affordable and reliable launch solutions to the U.S. Space Force and its partners [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab Corporation is set to launch the STP-S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force, showcasing its ability to meet urgent space access demands by accelerating the launch timeline by several months [1][4]. Launch Details - The launch, titled 'Don't Be Such A Square', is scheduled for December 18, 2025, at 05:00 UTC from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport [2][9]. - This mission will be Rocket Lab's 20th launch of the year and the 78th overall [5]. Mission Objectives - The STP-S30 mission will deploy the first four DiskSats, innovative disk-shaped spacecraft developed by The Aerospace Corporation, aimed at testing maneuverability and electric propulsion capabilities [3]. - The DiskSats will be delivered to a 550 km low Earth orbit, where their operational features will be evaluated [3]. Company Performance - Rocket Lab has demonstrated its responsive launch service by accelerating the launch from an initial target of April 2026 to December 2025, highlighting its industry-leading capabilities [4].

Core Points - Rocket Lab Corporation successfully launched its first dedicated mission for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), marking a significant milestone for the Electron rocket in providing reliable access to space [1][2] - The "RAISE And Shine" mission deployed the RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-4 (RAISE-4), showcasing eight technologies developed by various Japanese entities [2] - This launch reflects the increasing collaboration between commercial companies and national space programs, with Rocket Lab being a leader in small launch services [3] Company Highlights - Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, emphasized the precision and reliability of the mission, supporting the growth of Japan's aerospace economy [4] - The "RAISE And Shine" mission was Rocket Lab's 19th launch of the year, contributing to a new annual launch record established just a month prior [4] - Upcoming launches include a second mission for JAXA scheduled for Q1 2026 and a dedicated launch for the European Space Agency (ESA) [3][4] Industry Context - The successful launch for JAXA illustrates the growing integration of commercial entities into national space initiatives, enhancing the global demand for Rocket Lab's Electron rocket [3] - Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is recognized as the world's most frequently launched orbital small rocket, indicating its strong position in the market [5]