Rocket Lab
Develops and launches advanced rockets, satellites, and spacecraft using additive manufacturing for critical components like the Rutherford engine, enabling rapid production and cost-effective small satellite launches.
- CEO / Founder
- Peter Beck
- Team Size
- 1001-5000
- Stage
- Established
- Total Funding
- $777M
- Latest Round
- Public Listing
- Key Investors
- Khosla Ventures; Bessemer Venture Partners; DCVC; Lockheed Martin; Future Fund
Technology & Products
Key Products
Electron orbital rocket, Neutron rocket (under development), spacecraft design, manufacturing of satellite components, Rutherford engine, carbon composite 3D printing for large structures.
Technological Advantage
Patented 3D printing processes for metal components achieve high reliability and scalability, with over 350 Rutherford engines launched successfully; defensible through trade secrets and aerospace certifications.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces rocket engine production lead times by leveraging 3D printing for components like combustion chambers and injectors, cutting costs and enabling scalable, on-demand manufacturing for aerospace applications.
How They Differentiate
Focuses on small satellite launch market with vertically integrated additive manufacturing for engines, offering faster production cycles (e.g., Rutherford engine scalability) compared to traditional aerospace manufacturers; uses proprietary carbon composite 3D printing for large structures.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Small satellite operators, government agencies (e.g., U.S. military), commercial constellation operators
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Defense; Space Exploration
Competitors
SpaceX, Blue Origin
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Revenue grew 38% YoY to $602M in 2025, with backlog increasing 73% to $1.85B; Q1 2026 revenue guidance of $185M-$200M represents 57% YoY growth.
Major Milestones
First private company in Southern Hemisphere to reach space (2009); Successful launch of Electron rocket (2017); IPO on Nasdaq (2021); Record annual revenue of $602M in 2025; HASTE vehicle used for hypersonic test launches
Notable Customers
U.S. military (HASTE launches); NASA; Commercial satellite operators