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 Gisborne
    “Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand”
    Source

Where it works

AucklandBay of PlentyCanterburyGisborneHawke's BayMarlboroughManawatū-WhanganuiNelsonNorthlandOtagoSouthlandTasmanTaranakiWaikatoWellingtonWest Coast

In New Zealand

Long BeachTucsonTorontoPasadenaMiddle RiverAlbuquerque

Outside New Zealand

History

  1. 2006
    “2006 Rocket Lab founded.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  2. 2009
    “2009 Atea-1 launch – Rocket Lab became the first private company in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  3. 2010
    “2010 Successfully demonstrated new Viscous Liquid Monopropellant for DARPA.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  4. 2011
    “2011 Commercial release of Instant Eyes UAV.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  5. 2012
    “2012 Successful flight demo of DARPA Viscous Liquid Monopropellant.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  6. 2013
    “2013 First Rutherford Engine Hot Fire – first 3D printed, electric pump-fed engine.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  7. 2014
    “2014 Electron launch vehicle announced.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  8. 2015
    “2015 Construction begins on Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand – world’s first private orbital launch site.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  9. 2016
    “2016 Construction on Launch Complex 1 completed.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  10. 2017
    “2017 Electron launched to space for the first time with the ‘It’s a Test’ mission.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  11. 2018
    “2018 Rocket Lab successfully launched to orbit for the first time and deploys customer payloads.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  12. 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
  13. 2020
    “2020 Completed seven successful Electron missions including launches for the NRO, Capella Space, Planet, Canon and more.”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com
  14. 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
  15. 2023
    “2023 Successfully launched Electron's inaugural mission from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia”
    Source: rocketlabcorp.com

Common questions about Rocket Lab

Answered by the directory from the checked facts on this page.

Where is Rocket Lab based in New Zealand?

Auckland.

From rocketlabcorp.com/contact

What facilities does Rocket Lab have in New Zealand?

Launch Complex 1 (Gisborne).

From rocketlabcorp.com/contact

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.

From rocketlabcorp.com/contact, rocketlabcorp.com/contact, rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/robotics, rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/composite-structures

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.

From rocketlabcorp.com, rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/spacecraft, rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/separation-systems/satellite-dispensers, rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/radios

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

From rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us

Which sectors does Rocket Lab serve?

Space, Defence and Government.

From rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us, rocketlabcorp.com

Is Rocket Lab part of a larger organisation?

It is part of Rocket Lab USA.

From rocketlabcorp.com

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

All 96 roles at Rocket Lab

Careers page

Sources

Each fact above was checked against the quoted text on these pages. Editorial sources were checked by hand.

About 3 sources
Organisation type 1 source
  • “Our capabilities span the space economy, including satellite design and manufacture, space software and components, and reliable launch services.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us · fetched 28 October 2026
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.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/ · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “An integrated electric propulsion solution encompassing a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit, and Propellant Management Assembly. Engineered and manufactured by Rocket Lab.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/gauss-propulsion · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “Our capabilities span the space economy, including satellite design and manufacture, space software and components, and reliable launch services.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us · fetched 28 October 2026
Location 1 source
Product or programme 11 sources
  • “Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, delivering mission success for commercial and government satellite operators.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/ · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “Neutron, our 13-tonne payload class launch vehicle in development.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/ · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “HASTE is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle derived from Rocket Lab's heritage rocket”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/ · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “The original Rocket Lab spacecraft, Photon is our integrated launch-plus-spacecraft solution.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/spacecraft · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “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.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/spacecraft · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “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.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/spacecraft · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “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).”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/spacecraft · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “The Advanced Satellite Dispenser (ASD) is our most flexible, reliable, and cost-effective deployment mechanism for small payloads.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/separation-systems/satellite-dispensers · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “The Canisterized Satellite Dispenser (CSD) is a reliable deployment mechanism for small secondary or tertiary payloads.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/separation-systems/satellite-dispensers · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “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.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/spacecraft · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “The Frontier radio series by Rocket Lab is a flight-proven, software-defined radio designed for reliable Telemetry, Tracking, and Command.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/radios · fetched 28 October 2026
New Zealand facility 1 source
Overseas site 14 sources
Milestone 15 sources
Sector served 2 sources
  • “More than 200 satellites deployed to orbit for our customers across commercial, civil, defense and academic sectors.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us · fetched 28 October 2026
  • “Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, delivering mission success for commercial and government satellite operators.”
    https://rocketlabcorp.com/ · fetched 28 October 2026
Part of 1 source