WASHINGTON — Rocket Lab believes it is the leader in the small launch market with little competition. In an earnings call May 9 to discuss first quarter (Q1) financial results, CEO Peter Beck said business was increasing for its Electron vehicles, given problems with other small launch vehicle companies.
Rocket Lab is "experiencing a correlated increase in launch bookings for Electron in 2023 and beyond from new and returning customers across government and commercial sectors,” he stated.
The firm used the earnings release to announce a minor contract with NASA to launch a constellation of four cubesats (called Starling) to test autonomous swarm technologies in low Earth orbit.
The satellites will be a commercial rideshare mission in Q3. The company predicts conducting 15 Electron launches in 2023, which includes satellites and Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE). The first HASTE vehicle is undergoing “final preparations” in Virginia.
Rocket Lab reported $19.6M in launch revenue in Q1 from three Electron launches, but expects $23M in launch revenue in Q2. (Space News 05/09/23) Rocket Lab sees itself as leader of the small launch industry - SpaceNews
Stennis Space Center Note: Rocket Lab’s has an Archimedes Test Complex, located at Stennis Space Center’s (Miss.) 'A Test Complex,' includes use and development of existing infrastructure of the A-3 Test Stand to develop and test Neutron’s Archimedes engines. Neutron is Rocket Lab’s reusable rocket.
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