Rocket Lab is bringing disruptive speed to new launches. And it might change the future of how many satellites can get into space.
What’s happening:
- Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has successfully launched their 54th Electron mission and deployed a satellite into low Earth orbit for a commercial customer
Why it matters:
- This is one of the fastest turnaround times for deploying a new satellite into space in Rocket Lab’s history, going from signing the contract to completing the launch in less than ten weeks
By the numbers:
- Rocket Lab has now completed 12 individual launches so far this year, which breaks their previous record of 10 launches in a single year
- Rocket Lab has now successfully deployed 198 satellites into orbit since inception
Going deeper:
- The typical process for getting satellites launched into space ordinarily takes more than a year, due to various complexities and limitations that Rocket Lab has solved through scalable production of their Electron launch vehicles and responsive launch sites
- Rocket Lab has also recently been winning multiple important new deals, including a new contract to attempt to bring back rock samples from Mars for NASA as well as preparing for their next mission with Varda Space for developing drugs in orbit