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Rocket Lab Targets 2027 Neutron Launch, Secures $8 B Iridium Deal

8/12/2026

29 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Rocket Lab USA said its Neutron vehicle will reach the launch pad in Q4 2026 and fly in 2027.
Q2 revenue was $234.06 million, adjusted loss per share $0.08, and net loss $49.3 million.
The U.S. Force awarded a $397 million SB-AMTI contract and a $266 million deal for 18 suborbital launches.
Rocket Lab closed acquisitions of Mynaric and Motiv Space Systems and signed an $8 billion Iridium deal to close mid-2027.

History

Historical Context

After the Conestoga (1982) and Pegasus (1990), SpaceX’s privately funded Falcon 1 achieved orbit on 28 September 2008, becoming the first fully liquid-propellant rocket built outside government programs. Developed for about $90 million, its success earned a $278 million NASA COTS contract in 2006, paving the way for later commercial crew deals and today’s private-government launch partnerships.

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Story summary

Rocket Lab USA said its Neutron vehicle will reach the launch pad in Q4 2026 and fly in 2027.
Q2 revenue was $234.06 million, adjusted loss per share $0.08, and net loss $49.3 million.
The U.S. Force awarded a $397 million SB-AMTI contract and a $266 million deal for 18 suborbital launches.
Rocket Lab closed acquisitions of Mynaric and Motiv Space Systems and signed an $8 billion Iridium deal to close mid-2027.

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