Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering launch services, spacecraft, and satellite components.
The company operates a launch complex in Mahia, New Zealand.
Rocket Lab maintains a New Zealand office in Auckland.
- Type
- Manufacturer
- Capabilities
- Location
- Auckland, Auckland (North Island)
- Part of
- Rocket Lab USA
- Sectors served
- Space, Defence, Government
- Website
- rocketlabcorp.com
- Careers
- rocketlabcorp.com/careers
- Last checked
- 28 October 2026
Products and programmes
-
Electron
“Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, delivering mission success for commercial and government satellite operators.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Neutron
“Neutron, our 13-tonne payload class launch vehicle in development.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
HASTE
“HASTE is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle derived from Rocket Lab's heritage rocket”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Photon
“The original Rocket Lab spacecraft, Photon is our integrated launch-plus-spacecraft solution.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Pioneer
“A highly configurable medium delta-V platform designed to support payloads up to 120 kg and unique mission profiles, including re-entry missions for Varda Space Industries, and dynamic space operations. Depending on the mission profile, Pioneer can be launched on Electron, Neutron or other launch vehicles.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Lightning
“Rocket Lab’s spacecraft designed for a 12+ year orbital lifespan in LEO, delivers high-power and high radiation tolerance, incorporating redundancy in critical subsystems. This ~3 kW bus is ideal for high operational duty cycle telecommunications and remote sensing applications. Lightning can be launched on Neutron and other medium and heavy launch vehicles.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Explorer
“A high delta-V spacecraft with large propellant tanks, deep space capable avionics, and ranging transponders. Explorer enables small spacecraft missions to planetary destinations like Mars and Venus, the Moon, highly eccentric Earth orbits, geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), Earth-moon Lagrange points, Earth-sun Lagrange points, and near Earth objects (NEOs).”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Advanced Satellite Dispenser (ASD)
“The Advanced Satellite Dispenser (ASD) is our most flexible, reliable, and cost-effective deployment mechanism for small payloads.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Canisterized Satellite Dispenser (CSD)
“The Canisterized Satellite Dispenser (CSD) is a reliable deployment mechanism for small secondary or tertiary payloads.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Flatellite
“Flatellite is an extension of our family spacecraft, offering resilient, high-performing, constellation-class satellites that deliver secure, low-latency, and high-speed communications connectivity in LEO.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com -
Frontier Radio
“The Frontier radio series by Rocket Lab is a flight-proven, software-defined radio designed for reliable Telemetry, Tracking, and Command.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com
New Zealand facilities
- Launch Complex 1
“Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand”
Where it works
In New Zealand
Auckland, Auckland
“Rocket Lab New Zealand 25 Levene Pl Mount Wellington Auckland 1060”
Launch Complex 1
“Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand”
Outside New Zealand
Long Beach, United States
“Rocket Lab Headquarters 3881 McGowen Street, Long Beach, CA 90808”
Wallops Island, United States
“Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Wallops Island, Virginia”
Tucson, United States
“Optical Solutions 3855 W River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85741, United States”
Toronto, Canada
“Satellite Components 517A Wellington Street West, Suite 100 Toronto, Ontario M5V 1G1 Canada”
Munich, Germany
“Laser Communications Bertha-Kipfmüller-Straße 2-8 81249 Munich Germany”
Stennis Space Center, United States
“NASA Stennis Space Center Archimedes Engine Test Complex Mississippi”
Pasadena, United States
“Our Pasadena, California facility specializes in robotic arm and actuator production, with cleanroom spaces and advanced assembly capabilities.”
Middle River, United States
“Middle River, Baltimore, USA”
Albuquerque, United States
“Space Solar Cells 10420 Research Road SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123”
History
- 2006
“2006 Rocket Lab founded.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2009
“2009 Atea-1 launch – Rocket Lab became the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2010
“2010 Successfully demonstrated new Viscous Liquid Monopropellant for DARPA.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2011
“2011 Commercial release of Instant Eyes UAV.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2012
“2012 Successful flight demo of DARPA Viscous Liquid Monopropellant.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2013
“2013 First Rutherford Engine Hot Fire – first 3D printed, electric pump-fed engine.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2014
“2014 Electron launch vehicle announced.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2015
“2015 Construction begins on Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand – world’s first private orbital launch site.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2016
“2016 Construction on Launch Complex 1 completed.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2017
“2017 Electron launched to space for the first time with the ‘It’s a Test’ mission.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2018
“2018 Rocket Lab successfully launched to orbit for the first time and deploys customer payloads.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2019
“2019 Completed six successful Electron missions including launches for DARPA, Space Test Program, United States Air Force Space Command, Astro Digital, BlackSky, Unseenlabs and more.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2020
“2020 Completed seven successful Electron missions including launches for the NRO, Capella Space, Planet, Canon and more.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2022
“2022 Annual launch record broken with nine Electron missions including launches for the NRO, NOAA, and with payloads from Sweden, Japan, Germany, Scotland, Finland, New Zealand, France, and the United States.”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com - 2023
“2023 Successfully launched Electron's inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia”
Source: rocketlabcorp.com
Common questions about Rocket Lab
Where is Rocket Lab based in New Zealand?
Auckland.
What facilities does Rocket Lab have in New Zealand?
Launch Complex 1 (Gisborne).
Where does Rocket Lab work outside New Zealand?
Head office in Long Beach, United States, launch site in Wallops Island, United States, office or base in Tucson, United States, office or base in Toronto, Canada, office or base in Munich, Germany, test site in Stennis Space Center, United States, factory in Pasadena, United States, factory in Middle River, United States and office or base in Albuquerque, United States.
What does Rocket Lab make or run?
Its products and programmes include Electron, Neutron, HASTE, Photon, Pioneer, Lightning, Explorer, Advanced Satellite Dispenser (ASD), Canisterized Satellite Dispenser (CSD), Flatellite and Frontier Radio.
What are Rocket Lab's milestones?
The directory lists 15, from 2006 (“Rocket Lab founded.”) to 2023 (“Successfully launched Electron's inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia”). See History
Which sectors does Rocket Lab serve?
Space, Defence and Government.
Is Rocket Lab part of a larger organisation?
It is part of Rocket Lab USA.
Is Rocket Lab hiring in New Zealand?
The directory has seen 96 open roles in New Zealand in the last 14 days. See Jobs
How can I contact Rocket Lab?
Through its website, rocketlabcorp.com.
Updates
No updates have been published for this organisation.
Jobs
-
Senior Integrated Operations Engineer
-
Team Lead - Electron Vehicle Development
-
CNC Operator
-
Junior Ground Systems Engineer - Instrumentation & Control
-
Senior Software Engineer - Data Engineering
-
Senior Structural Analyst
-
Team Lead - Thermofluids Analysis
-
Junior Software Engineer
-
Senior Integrated Operations Engineer - Team Y
-
Junior Manufacturing Engineer
Sources
About 3 sources
-
“Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, spacecraft, satellite components, and on-orbit management.”
-
“Construction begins on Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand – world’s first private orbital launch site.”
-
“Rocket Lab New Zealand 25 Levene Pl Mount Wellington Auckland 1060”
Organisation type 1 source
-
“Our capabilities span the space economy, including satellite design and manufacture, space software and components, and reliable launch services.”
Capability 3 sources
-
“Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, satellite components, flight software, and more.”
-
“An integrated electric propulsion solution encompassing a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit, and Propellant Management Assembly. Engineered and manufactured by Rocket Lab.”
-
“Our capabilities span the space economy, including satellite design and manufacture, space software and components, and reliable launch services.”
Location 1 source
-
“Rocket Lab New Zealand 25 Levene Pl Mount Wellington Auckland 1060”
Product or programme 11 sources
-
“Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, delivering mission success for commercial and government satellite operators.”
-
“Neutron, our 13-tonne payload class launch vehicle in development.”
-
“HASTE is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle derived from Rocket Lab's heritage rocket”
-
“The original Rocket Lab spacecraft, Photon is our integrated launch-plus-spacecraft solution.”
-
“A highly configurable medium delta-V platform designed to support payloads up to 120 kg and unique mission profiles, including re-entry missions for Varda Space Industries, and dynamic space operations. Depending on the mission profile, Pioneer can be launched on Electron, Neutron or other launch vehicles.”
-
“Rocket Lab’s spacecraft designed for a 12+ year orbital lifespan in LEO, delivers high-power and high radiation tolerance, incorporating redundancy in critical subsystems. This ~3 kW bus is ideal for high operational duty cycle telecommunications and remote sensing applications. Lightning can be launched on Neutron and other medium and heavy launch vehicles.”
-
“A high delta-V spacecraft with large propellant tanks, deep space capable avionics, and ranging transponders. Explorer enables small spacecraft missions to planetary destinations like Mars and Venus, the Moon, highly eccentric Earth orbits, geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), Earth-moon Lagrange points, Earth-sun Lagrange points, and near Earth objects (NEOs).”
-
“The Advanced Satellite Dispenser (ASD) is our most flexible, reliable, and cost-effective deployment mechanism for small payloads.”
-
“The Canisterized Satellite Dispenser (CSD) is a reliable deployment mechanism for small secondary or tertiary payloads.”
-
“Flatellite is an extension of our family spacecraft, offering resilient, high-performing, constellation-class satellites that deliver secure, low-latency, and high-speed communications connectivity in LEO.”
-
“The Frontier radio series by Rocket Lab is a flight-proven, software-defined radio designed for reliable Telemetry, Tracking, and Command.”
New Zealand facility 1 source
-
“Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand”
Overseas site 14 sources
-
“Rocket Lab Headquarters 3881 McGowen Street, Long Beach, CA 90808”
-
“Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Wallops Island, Virginia”
-
“Optical Solutions 3855 W River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85741, United States”
-
“Satellite Components 517A Wellington Street West, Suite 100 Toronto, Ontario M5V 1G1 Canada”
-
“Laser Communications Bertha-Kipfmüller-Straße 2-8 81249 Munich Germany”
- Editorial
“Rocket Lab Headquarters 3881 McGowen Street, Long Beach, CA 90808”
- Editorial
“Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Wallops Island, Virginia”
- Editorial
“NASA Stennis Space Center Archimedes Engine Test Complex Mississippi”
- Editorial
“Our Pasadena, California facility specializes in robotic arm and actuator production, with cleanroom spaces and advanced assembly capabilities.”
- Editorial
“Middle River, Baltimore, USA”
- Editorial
“Space Solar Cells 10420 Research Road SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123”
- Editorial
“Optical Solutions 3855 W River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85741, United States”
- Editorial
“Satellite Components 517A Wellington Street West, Suite 100 Toronto, Ontario M5V 1G1 Canada”
- Editorial
“Laser Communications Bertha-Kipfmüller-Straße 2-8 81249 Munich Germany”
Milestone 15 sources
-
“2006 Rocket Lab founded.”
-
“2009 Atea-1 launch – Rocket Lab became the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.”
-
“2013 First Rutherford Engine Hot Fire – first 3D printed, electric pump-fed engine.”
-
“2014 Electron launch vehicle announced.”
-
“2015 Construction begins on Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand – world’s first private orbital launch site.”
-
“2016 Construction on Launch Complex 1 completed.”
-
“2010 Successfully demonstrated new Viscous Liquid Monopropellant for DARPA.”
-
“2011 Commercial release of Instant Eyes UAV.”
-
“2012 Successful flight demo of DARPA Viscous Liquid Monopropellant.”
-
“2017 Electron launched to space for the first time with the ‘It’s a Test’ mission.”
-
“2018 Rocket Lab successfully launched to orbit for the first time and deploys customer payloads.”
-
“2019 Completed six successful Electron missions including launches for DARPA, Space Test Program, United States Air Force Space Command, Astro Digital, BlackSky, Unseenlabs and more.”
-
“2020 Completed seven successful Electron missions including launches for the NRO, Capella Space, Planet, Canon and more.”
-
“2022 Annual launch record broken with nine Electron missions including launches for the NRO, NOAA, and with payloads from Sweden, Japan, Germany, Scotland, Finland, New Zealand, France, and the United States.”
-
“2023 Successfully launched Electron's inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia”
Sector served 2 sources
-
“More than 200 satellites deployed to orbit for our customers across commercial, civil, defense and academic sectors.”
-
“Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, delivering mission success for commercial and government satellite operators.”
Part of 1 source
-
“© Rocket Lab USA”