Key insights
- Rocket Lab secured over $515 million in Neutron launch contracts in Q3 2026 with five constellation operators, including ICEYE, Muon Space, and Starcloud. The company also confirmed existing contracts with Kepler Communications and the U.S. Space Force. This brings Neutron's manifest to 16 missions, with launch slots now in the 2030s, and has led Rocket Lab to increase its base launch price to $70 million. The company's reusable medium-lift rocket, Neutron, is scheduled for its debut launch in 2027.
Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) announced it signed eight Neutron launch contracts with five constellation operators in the third quarter of 2026, totaling more than $515 million, according to a company statement.
The contracts include three dedicated launches for ICEYE, a European synthetic aperture radar constellation operator, beginning in late 2028; two launches for U.S.-based Muon Space in 2029 and 2030; and one launch for U.S.-based Starcloud, which plans to deploy data centers in space, in 2029. The announcement also confirmed a previously disclosed contract with Canadian satellite communications provider Kepler Communications for one dedicated launch, and a single launch for the United States Space Force under the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator program, both signed in Q3.
Rocket Lab said its Neutron launch manifest has grown to 16 missions, with the next available launch slots now falling in the 2030s. The company also raised its base launch price to $70 million per mission, up from $55 million.
Neutron is described as a medium-lift, reusable rocket designed to carry up to 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit. Its debut launch is scheduled for 2027.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said in the statement: "Neutron is rapidly establishing itself as the backbone of next-generation constellation deployment and government missions in the medium-lift launch class."
That's one option. But ProPicks AI re-evaluates RKLB alongside thousands of other companies every month, using 100+ financial metrics, and it may have found you a better stock. ProPicks AI looks past headlines and Reddit to fundamentals, momentum and valuation. You get the rationale behind every pick, so you can check the logic before you act on it. Over three years, our strategies have returned 2.3X the S&P 500's returns. Find out whether RKLB made this month's lists, and which stocks in the same space did. Now 55% off for Black Friday early birds.