Rocket Lab
Long Beach · Launch & spacecraft · ≈ 2,600 employees company-wide
Headquartered in Long Beach, where it builds Electron components and engines. On October 14, 2026 it moved Neutron's first launch to 2027 after finding voids in a first-stage composite dome.
People
Programs
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ProgramTimelineNext milestone
Neutron UnveiledMar 2021 Joins Space Force NSSL Lane 1Mar 2025 Fairing qualifiedDec 2025 First launch2027 First launch · 2027
Electron First launchMay 2017 First orbitJan 2018 First commercial launchNov 2018 First booster recoveryNov 2020 100th Electron builtJun 2026 100th Electron launchDate TBA 100th Electron launch · Date TBA
ESCAPADE Twin spacecraft launch on New GlennNov 13, 2025 Both spacecraft fully commissionedFeb 2026 Earth flyby and departure for MarsNov 2026 Arrival at MarsSep 2027 Earth flyby and departure for Mars · Nov
In the News
Neutron's first launch slips to 2027Oct 15, 2026Rocket Lab signs its biggest Electron deal: 20 launches for SynspectiveSep 30, 2026Electron launches Synspective's 13th radar satelliteSep 25, 2026Iridium shareholders approve the sale to Rocket LabSep 24, 2026Rocket Lab protests NASA's Mars relay award to Blue OriginSep 14, 2026Rocket Lab puts a germanium-free space solar cell into productionSep 10, 2026Electron launches Synspective's 11th radar satelliteSep 2, 2026Electron launches the ninth iQPS radar satelliteAug 21, 2026Space Force funds five companies to link their satellites to its data networkAug 17, 2026Rocket Lab unveils GHOST, a portable spaceport for Electron and HASTEAug 10, 2026