Rocket Lab secured its biggest U.S. military launch contract to date, a $266 million deal that will see up to 18 sub‑orbital missions from its Electron rocket, while SpaceX landed a separate, larger order worth $1.6 billion for 18 Falcon 9 flights.
Rocket Lab’s $266 million Electron contract
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded Rocket Lab Corporation a multi‑launch agreement that could involve 12 guaranteed launches and as many as six additional flights. The first launch under the agreement cannot happen before the end of 2026.
All missions are slated for the Pacific Spaceport Complex‑Alaska in Kodiak, a new site for the company that will support testing of hypersonic payloads. “The size and scale of this contract reflects the Space Force’s confidence in our ability to meet their urgent national security demands with speed, responsiveness, and scale,” said Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO.
Electron’s track record includes more than 30 missions for U.S. government customers, delivering small satellites and test payloads. The new deal expands that role, offering high‑frequency launch capacity that the Space Force says is needed to keep the United States ahead of global threats.
Rocket Lab’s strategy hinges on rapid turnaround, a capability the company demonstrated with its recent “kick‑start” mission cadence. The Alaska launch pad will add flexibility, allowing the firm to separate East‑coast and West‑coast traffic and reduce launch‑site bottlenecks.
While the agreement promises a steady stream of work, the timeline stretches several years, and the firm must maintain its launch reliability as it scales up operations at a remote Alaskan facility.
SpaceX wins $1.6 billion Falcon 9 order
In a separate award, the Space Force granted SpaceX two task orders totaling $1.6 billion for 18 Falcon 9 launches. The missions will support the Space Based Sensing and Targeting portfolio and will all lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, with completion expected by the end of 2027.
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The awards came through the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program, which emphasizes rapid acquisition and flexibility. “The rapid acquisition capabilities provided by our NSSL Phase 3 dual‑lane approach allows us the flexibility to deliver satellites for our warfighters in an increasingly efficient manner,” said Space Force Col. Eric Zarybnisky, acting portfolio acquisition executive.
Falcon 9’s proven reusability and high payload capacity make it a logical choice for medium‑lift missions that require quick deployment of sensing satellites. The contract highlights the continued reliance of the U.S. defense establishment on both established and emerging launch providers.
SpaceX’s existing launch cadence, which averages several missions per month, suggests it can meet the schedule without major strain. The company’s ability to refurbish boosters within weeks aligns with the military’s desire for rapid turnaround.
Although the contracts are separate, they illustrate a broader trend: the U.S. military diversifying its launch portfolio to include both small‑launch rockets like Electron and medium‑lift workhorses like Falcon 9.
Both firms will need to demonstrate consistent performance under the heightened scrutiny of national‑security missions.
In the short term, Rocket Lab will focus on building out its Alaska launch infrastructure, a move that could open new opportunities for private customers seeking high‑frequency access to sub‑orbital trajectories.
SpaceX, meanwhile, will likely continue leveraging its established launch cadence to meet the Space Force’s timeline.