Rocket Lab on Monday said a recent $266 million contract it received from the Space Force is the company’s largest ever launch contract, which calls for at least 12 suborbital launches primarily from a spaceport in Kodiak, Alaska.
The contract under the Space Force Space Systems Command’s Rocket Systems Launch Program includes options for up to six additional suborbital launches. The first launch is expected to occur by the end of 2026 at the earliest.
Rocket Lab said most of the launches will occur at its new location at Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska in Kodiak near the Gulf of Alaska. The company also operates launch sites in New Zealand and Wallops Island, Va.
Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska is owned and operated by the Alaska Aerospace Corporation, a state-owned corporation.
Space Systems Command on July 21 said work under the firm-fixed-price contract is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2028. The command said $112 million in fiscal year 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds were obligated with the contract award. Three offers were received for the contract.
