Industrials · NASDAQ: RKLB
Rocket Lab: how the business works
Rocket Lab launches small rockets and builds spacecraft for governments and companies, with revenue of $601.8 million and a net loss of $198.2 million in FY2025.
By Hardik Bhandare · Checked against filings:
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Rocket Lab Corporation · Long Beach, California · Founded 2006
Last updated
- Revenue, FY2025
- $601.8M
- Net loss, FY2025
- −$198.2M
- Electron launches, FY2025
- 21
- Full-time employees, Dec 31, 2025
- 2,600+
- Peter Beck's share of votes, Mar 30, 2026
- 7.5%
The short version
Rocket Lab in 5 points
1 · What it sells
Rocket Lab launches small rockets and builds spacecraft and parts, with $601.8 million of revenue in FY2025 and $234.1 million in Q2 FY2026.
2 · Who pays it
Filings give no full split by customer, so by billing location FY2025 revenue was 79% United States, 11% Japan, 3% Canada and 7% rest of world; one unnamed government customer was the largest payer in the first half of FY2026.
3 · What it keeps from $100
Of every $100 that came in during FY2025, which includes a $27.7 million tax benefit and $2.9 million of other income, costs were $131.3, so Rocket Lab lost $31.3; its operating loss was $228.8 million.
4 · Where the operating profit comes from
Rocket Lab reports gross profit by segment, not operating profit: Space Systems made $125.9 million and Launch Services $81.3 million in FY2025, against a company-wide operating loss of $228.8 million.
5 · The one thing to watch
Rocket Lab agreed on Jun 28, 2026 to buy Iridium, which had $871.7 million of FY2025 revenue against Rocket Lab's $601.8 million, and Iridium's Oct 20, 2026 10-Q still listed FCC consent as a condition.
Sources: From Rocket Lab's FY2025 10-K, Q2 FY2026 10-Q and earnings releases, Form S-4/A and Iridium's Q3 FY2026 10-Q · checked
See the full receipt and the management scorecard below
01Where the money goes · FY2025
Where does $100 of Rocket Lab's money go?
Rocket Lab · FY2025
Receipt for every $100
| Cost of revenue | $62.4 |
|---|---|
| Research and development | $42.8 |
| Selling, general and administrative | $26.1 |
| Net loss (costs above money in) | −$31.3 |
| Total | $100 |
Each line = amount ÷ total money in × 100. Lines may not add to exactly $100 because of rounding.
How this is worked out
Cityfort calculation from FY2025 10-K. Of every $100 that came in during FY2025 (revenue $601.8 million + a $27.7 million tax benefit + $2.9 million of other income = $632.4 million). Costs added up to $131.3, so the last line is a net loss of $31.3. Depreciation and amortization ($43.9 million) and stock-based pay ($71.1 million) sit inside the cost lines. Costs came to $131.3 per $100 that came in.
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02The business in one line
What does Rocket Lab do?
Governments and companies pay Rocket Lab to launch payloads and build spacecraft; production, research and overhead cost more than that revenue, so it has reported a net loss every year shown here.
- Space Systems, meaning spacecraft and parts, brought in $402.8 million in FY2025. Launch Services brought in $199.0 million.
- Cost of revenue took $394.6 million, research and development $270.7 million and selling and administration $165.3 million. That left an operating loss of $228.8 million.
03Who pays it
Who pays Rocket Lab?
Billed in the United States
79%
of revenue
$475.4 million in FY2025. This is a billing-location split, not a customer split.
Billed in Japan
11%
of revenue
$65.6 million in FY2025, up from $30.7 million in FY2024.
Billed in Canada
3%
of revenue
$20.2 million in FY2025, down from $104.4 million (24%) in FY2024.
Billed in the rest of the world
7%
of revenue
$40.6 million in FY2025.
- Billed in the United States79%
- Billed in Japan11%
- Billed in Canada3%
- Billed in the rest of the world7%
Customer concentration
No filing gives a split of revenue by customer that adds to 100%. The cards above show billing location instead: where the customer is invoiced, not who uses the launch or spacecraft. The figures below are FY2025. One unnamed "Government Customer" paid 11% in FY2024, 28% in FY2025 and 42% in the first half of FY2026, when it was the only customer at 10% or more. The top five customers held about 77% of backlog at Dec 31, 2025. Launch services have been used by more than 20 organizations.
- Largest customer
- 28%
- Top 5 customers
- 49%
04Why it makes money
Why does Rocket Lab make money?
Rocket Lab earns a gross profit on launches and spacecraft, but research and overhead are larger than that profit.
Gross profit went from a $3.0 loss per $100 of revenue in FY2021 to $34.4 in FY2025. Research and overhead took $436.0 million in FY2025, against gross profit of $207.2 million, so the operating loss was $38.0 per $100 of revenue. Selling new shares has covered the cash gap.
Operating loss per $100 of revenue
−$164−$38
FY2021 to FY2025
- A customer signs a launch or spacecraft contract, adding to backlog
- Rocket Lab earns revenue as it launches or builds
- Cost per Electron launch fell from $9.2 million in FY2021 to $4.8 million in FY2025
- Gross profit reached $207.2 million in FY2025
- Research and overhead took $436.0 million, including work on Neutron
- Share sales of $1,146.1 million gross in FY2025 covered the cash gap
↺ Step 6 feeds back into step 1.
05Business segments · FY2025
Which businesses make up Rocket Lab?
Space Systems
67%Spacecraft, parts and design services. Gross profit was $125.9 million in FY2025, or 31.3% of its revenue. Q2 FY2026 revenue was $189.5 million, up from $97.9 million a year earlier, partly through acquisitions.
Revenue $403M
Launch Services
33%Electron and HASTE launches. Gross profit was $81.3 million in FY2025, or 40.8% of its revenue. Q2 FY2026 revenue was $44.6 million, down from $46.6 million a year earlier, which the filing attributes to revenue recognition timing.
Revenue $199M
How the mix changed
- Space Systems
- Launch Services
Revenue by segment, FY2021 to FY2025.
US$
See the numbers
06The numbers · Consolidated · US$
How has Rocket Lab done?
Revenue
$602MFY2025
Revenue rose every year, from $62.2 million in FY2021 to $601.8 million in FY2025, and Q2 FY2026 revenue of $234.1 million was up 62% from a year earlier.
US$
See the numbers
Net profit
−$198MFY2025
Rocket Lab reported a net loss in every year and quarter shown, $198.2 million in FY2025; FY2021's per-share loss uses 209.9 million weighted shares, against 466.2 million in FY2022, because of the merger's recapitalization.
US$
See the numbers
Profit kept per $100 of revenue
−$32.9FY2025
Operating loss per $100 of revenue narrowed from $164.0 in FY2021 to $38.0 in FY2025 and $24.6 in Q2 FY2026; the $18.3 million net loss in Q3 FY2025 includes a $41.1 million tax benefit.
$ of profit per $100 of revenue (net margin)
See the numbers
Free cash flow
−$322MFY2025
Free cash flow was an outflow every year, $321.8 million in FY2025; that excludes $132.4 million of acquisitions and does not count stock-based pay of $71.1 million, or 11.8% of revenue.
US$ · cash from operations minus spending on plants and equipment
See the numbers
See all yearly numbers
EBITDA here = operating income plus depreciation and amortization (from the cash flow statement). Fiscal years are the company's own (Dec 31; fiscal quarters are calendar quarters). Net profit is the share belonging to the company's owners.
Learn: Fiscal years that don't end in December: Nvidia's FY2027 explained · Stock-based compensation and dilution: pay that becomes shares
07Who runs it
Who runs Rocket Lab, and did they deliver?
Peter Beck
Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman · since 2013
Founded Rocket Lab in 2006; CEO since July 2013. FY2025 total pay was $6,830,680, down from $20,110,758. In March 2026 he voluntarily reduced his salary to $1 or the New Zealand statutory minimum, and cancelled 392,155 unvested stock units.
Adam Spice
Chief Financial Officer
FY2025 total pay was $455,090.
Arjun Kampani
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
FY2025 total pay was $447,460.
What they said, and what happened
2 missed · 3 too early to tell · 1 delivered
Said on Feb 27, 2025
Rocket Lab said Neutron's debut launch was planned for the second half of 2025.
MissedWhat happened
No launch in 2025. Earlier, on May 6, 2024, the company had said no earlier than mid-2025.
Said on Feb 26, 2026
Rocket Lab said Neutron's first launch was targeted for Q4 2026, after a Stage 1 tank ruptured in a Jan 21, 2026 test.
MissedWhat happened
On Oct 14, 2026 the company said the first launch had moved to 2027.
Said on Oct 14, 2026
Rocket Lab said on Oct 14, 2026 that Neutron's first launch would come in 2027.
Too early to tellWhat happened
No launch reported in filings as of Nov 1, 2026.
Said on May 7, 2026
Rocket Lab guided Q2 FY2026 revenue of $225 million to $240 million.
DeliveredWhat happened
Reported $234.1 million. In each of the seven quarters from Q4 FY2024, reported revenue was within or above the range given.
Said on Aug 10, 2026
Rocket Lab guided Q3 FY2026 revenue of $250 million to $265 million.
Too early to tellWhat happened
Q3 FY2026 results were not reported as of Nov 1, 2026.
Said on Sep 15, 2026
Rocket Lab said it expected to close the Iridium purchase by mid-2027.
Too early to tellWhat happened
Iridium's Oct 20, 2026 filing still lists FCC consent and other clearances as remaining conditions.
08What could go wrong
What could go wrong for Rocket Lab?
- Execution
The Iridium purchase is much larger than its earlier deals
Rocket Lab agreed to pay $27.00 in cash plus stock per Iridium share, with a stated enterprise value of about $8.0 billion; GEOST cost $275 million. The stock part is worth $27.00 only between $67.50 and $112.50 a Rocket Lab share. It is fixed at 0.4000 shares at or below $67.50, and 0.2400 at or above $112.50. Iridium's FY2025 revenue was $871.7 million, against Rocket Lab's $601.8 million. Rocket Lab's filings list integration, added debt, share issuance and deal costs as risks. Iridium's Oct 20, 2026 10-Q still listed FCC consent as a condition.
Watch FCC consent and other clearances, and Rocket Lab's stated closing date of mid-2027.
- Technology
Neutron's first launch has moved several times
The stated first launch moved from no earlier than mid-2025 to the second half of 2025. On Nov 10, 2025 the company said the rocket would reach Launch Complex 3 in Q1 2026, with the first launch after that. The date then moved to Q4 2026, then 2027. A Stage 1 tank ruptured in a test on Jan 21, 2026. Rocket Lab's 10-K says further delays could occur and that its future results depend on Neutron.
Watch Neutron's delivery to Launch Complex 3 and any new launch date.
- Concentration
One unnamed customer paid 42% of revenue
An unnamed "Government Customer" paid 42% of revenue in the first half of FY2026, up from 28% in FY2025 and 11% in FY2024. Five customers were about 49% of FY2025 revenue. The 10-K lists government funding, shutdowns and termination rights as risks.
Watch The customer note in each 10-Q and 10-K.
- Cash and liquidity
Losses and cash use
Accumulated losses reached $1,106.2 million at Jun 30, 2026. Free cash flowCash from operations minus spending on buildings and equipment. Learn more was an outflow of $321.8 million in FY2025 and $110.1 million in Q2 FY2026. The 10-K says it intends to keep investing in Neutron, and share sales have funded the gap.
Watch Free cash flow each quarter against cash and securities, $2,387.6 million at Jun 30, 2026.
- Other
New shares spread ownership thinner
Weighted average shares rose from 530.7 million in FY2025 to 629.7 million in Q2 FY2026. About $1.944 billion of further share sales finished by Sep 15, 2026, and the Iridium deal pays part of its price in new shares. Convertible notes have also turned into shares.
Watch The share count on the cover of each 10-Q, and shares issued at the Iridium closing.
- Technology
A launch failure can stop launch revenue
Launch revenue depends on Electron, and the 10-K lists launch failure and grounding as a risk. Electron mission 41 failed on Sep 19, 2023 after stage separation. Launch Services was 33.1% of FY2025 revenue.
Watch Electron launch counts and any failure report in an 8-K.
- Execution
Late spacecraft deliveries to MDA
Under a February 2022 contract for 17 spacecraft buses, Rocket Lab says some deliveries will be later than the contract dates. It says MDA may claim liquidated damages, a set payment for delay, and that the net amount cannot be determined.
Watch The MDA disclosure in Note 3 of the next 10-K.
- Governance
The CEO's trust has its own class rights
Beck's family trust holds all the preferred stock, which votes with common stock and carries the same votes per common-share equivalent. It also elects at least one director as a separate class and can block adverse charter changes, while Beck is also Chairman.
Watch The preferred count and Beck's voting percentage in the next proxy.
09Both sides
What do supporters and critics point to?
What supporters point to
- Revenue rose from $62.2 million in FY2021 to $601.8 million in FY2025, and Q2 FY2026 revenue was up 62% from a year earlier.
- Backlog reached $2,355.9 million at Jun 30, 2026, up from $995.4 million a year earlier.
- Gross profit per $100 of revenue moved from a $3.0 loss in FY2021 to $34.4 in FY2025.
- Rocket Lab's reported cost per launch fell from $9.2 million in FY2021 to $4.8 million in FY2025.
- Cash and securities were $2,387.6 million against $14.8 million of debt at Jun 30, 2026, before $1.944 billion of later share sales.
What critics point to
- Rocket Lab reported a net loss every year from FY2021 to FY2025, and accumulated losses reached $1,106.2 million at Jun 30, 2026.
- Free cash flow was an outflow of $321.8 million in FY2025, and share sales raised $1,146.1 million that year.
- One unnamed customer paid 42% of revenue in the first half of FY2026, up from 28% in FY2025.
- Neutron's stated first launch has moved from the second half of 2025 to 2027.
- Weighted average shares rose from 530.7 million in FY2025 to 629.7 million in Q2 FY2026.
10What to watch next
What should you watch next at Rocket Lab?
Next event
Q3 FY2026 results
Date not announced yet.
Q3 FY2026 revenue against the company's range
Rocket Lab said on Aug 10, 2026 that it expected $250 million to $265 million. Q3 FY2025 revenue was $155.1 million.
The new share count
The next 10-Q cover should show common shares after the 29.3 million issued by Sep 15, 2026. The last count filed was 598,459,739 at Aug 7, 2026.
Neutron and Iridium
The company moved Neutron's first launch to 2027 on Oct 14, 2026. Iridium's Oct 20, 2026 filing lists FCC consent and other clearances as remaining conditions.
11Key facts
Key facts about Rocket Lab
- What does Rocket Lab do?
- Rocket Lab launches small rockets and builds spacecraft and spacecraft parts for governments and companies. Rocket Lab had revenue of $601.8 million in FY2025 (calendar 2025) and over 2,600 full-time employees at Dec 31, 2025.
- How does Rocket Lab make money?
- Rocket Lab makes money from two segments. In FY2025 Space Systems, spacecraft and parts, brought in $402.8 million, and Launch Services, paid launches, brought in $199.0 million. Revenue comes from long-term fixed-price contracts for launches and spacecraft builds, plus purchase orders for parts.
- What is Rocket Lab's business model?
- Rocket Lab's business model is to be one supplier for launch, spacecraft and running spacecraft in orbit. In FY2025 Launch Services had revenue of $199.0 million, and Rocket Lab reported revenue per launch of $8.5 million and cost per launch of $4.8 million.
- Is Rocket Lab profitable?
- No. Rocket Lab reported a net loss of $198.2 million in FY2025 and $49.3 million in Q2 FY2026. Its FY2025 operating loss was $228.8 million; a $27.7 million tax benefit and $2.9 million of other income made the net loss smaller.
- What is Rocket Lab's revenue by segment?
- In FY2025 Rocket Lab's Space Systems segment had revenue of $402.8 million (66.9%) and Launch Services $199.0 million (33.1%). In Q2 FY2026 Space Systems had $189.5 million and Launch Services $44.6 million.
- Who are Rocket Lab's customers?
- Rocket Lab sells to government agencies, including the U.S. Department of War and NASA, and to commercial spacecraft operators. One unnamed "Government Customer" paid 42% of Rocket Lab's revenue in the first half of FY2026. Filings give no full split by customer; by billing location, the United States was 79% of FY2025 revenue.
- Who owns Rocket Lab?
- At Mar 30, 2026, Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck held 7.5% of the votes and all directors and executive officers 8.4%, per the proxy. Khosla Ventures entities held 6.1% and BlackRock 5.2%. Vanguard Capital Management reported 5.19% of the common stock at Jun 30, 2026.
- What is Rocket Lab's Launch Services business?
- Rocket Lab's Launch Services segment had revenue of $199.0 million and gross profit of $81.3 million in FY2025. Its Electron rocket carries up to 300 kg to low Earth orbit and launched 21 times in FY2025. All Launch revenue is reported as service revenue.
- What is Rocket Lab's Space Systems business?
- Rocket Lab's Space Systems segment had revenue of $402.8 million and gross profit of $125.9 million in FY2025. It builds whole spacecraft and sells parts such as solar power products, reaction wheels and star trackers.
- Is Rocket Lab buying Iridium?
- Rocket Lab agreed on Jun 28, 2026 to buy Iridium Communications, a satellite voice and data company. The price is $27.00 in cash plus Rocket Lab stock per Iridium share, the stock being worth $27.00 within a set share-price range. Iridium stockholders approved it on Sep 24, 2026. The deal had not closed as of Oct 20, 2026, and Iridium is in none of Rocket Lab's results shown here.
Go deeper
More detail from the same filings. Open any section.
12What it sells
12What it sells
What does Rocket Lab sell?
Electron launches
A small rocket that carries spacecraft of up to 300 kg to low Earth orbit, flown 21 times in FY2025. Rocket Lab reports it had launched Electron successfully 87 times through Jun 30, 2026, a count that includes suborbital flights.
HASTE test flights
A suborbital version of Electron, used for hypersonic test flights. Two of the six Electron missions in Q2 FY2026 were HASTE, and that revenue is recognized over time rather than at launch.
Neutron (not yet flying)
A larger rocket in development, stated to carry about 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit in its reusable form. It earns no launch revenue yet; on Oct 14, 2026 the company moved its first launch to 2027.
Spacecraft
Whole satellites designed and built for customers. They include 18 space vehicles under a $515 million contract and 18 satellites under a Tranche 3 contract worth up to $816 million, both for the Space Development Agency.
Spacecraft parts
Parts sold to other spacecraft builders: solar power products, reaction wheels that turn a spacecraft and star trackers that work out which way it points. Also radios, separation systems, batteries, software and optical systems.
What it does
- Does: Launches payloads on Electron and HASTE from a private complex in Mahia, New Zealand, and from Wallops Island, Virginia
- Does: Builds whole spacecraft and also sells parts to companies building their own
- Does: Runs spacecraft in orbit for customers as part of a full mission
What it does not do
- Does not: Has not launched Neutron: its first launch was moved to 2027 on Oct 14, 2026
- Does not: Does not book rockets as product revenue: all Launch revenue is reported as service, and product revenue is Space Systems
- Does not: Does not own Iridium yet: the deal had not closed as of Oct 20, 2026
13How the money flows
13How the money flows · FY2025
How does money flow through Rocket Lab?
Money in
- Revenue (launches, spacecraft and parts)$602M
- Tax benefit ($27.7M) and other income ($2.9M)$30.6M
The company
Rocket Lab
$632M came in
Money out
- Cost of revenue: materials, labor and factory costs for launches and spacecraft$395M
- Research and development, including Neutron$271M
- Selling, general and administrative$165M
- Net loss−$198M
- Customers paid $601.8 million in FY2025. A $27.7 million tax benefit and $2.9 million of other income added $30.6 million.
- Materials, labor and factory costs took $394.6 million, leaving gross profit of $207.2 million.
- Research and development took $270.7 million. The company names Neutron among the main reasons it rose $96.3 million.
- Selling and administration took $165.3 million, which left an operating loss of $228.8 million.
- After the tax benefit and other income, the net loss was $198.2 million.
14What it needs to run
14What it needs to run
What does Rocket Lab need to run?
Launch sites
Two pads at its own complex in Mahia, New Zealand, able to support up to 120 launches a year. LC-2 at Wallops Island, Virginia, supports up to 8 a year. LC-3 there, for Neutron, was under construction at the FY2025 10-K.
People
Over 2,600 full-time employees at Dec 31, 2025, up from over 2,100 a year earlier. Stock-based payPay given as shares instead of cash, which spreads ownership more thinly. Learn more was $71.1 million in FY2025.
Specialized suppliers
The FY2025 10-K lists reliance on single vendors and on rare-earth materials as a risk.
Outside capital
Operations and capital spending used $321.8 million more cash than they produced in FY2025. Selling new shares raised $1,146.1 million gross that year.
15Where it sells
15Where it sells · FY2025
Where does Rocket Lab sell?
- United States79%
- Japan11%
- Canada3%
- Rest of world7%
16Competitors and what protects it
16Competitors and what protects it
Who does Rocket Lab compete with?
SpaceX
Named in Rocket Lab's FY2025 10-K as a launch competitor.
Northrop Grumman
Named as a launch and spacecraft competitor. Northrop Grumman Space Systems was also 13% of Rocket Lab's revenue in FY2023.
Firefly
Named in Rocket Lab's FY2025 10-K as a launch competitor.
Lockheed
Named as a spacecraft competitor. Lockheed Martin was also 16% of Rocket Lab's receivables at Dec 31, 2025.
Redwire
Named in Rocket Lab's FY2025 10-K as a spacecraft parts competitor.
What protects the business
Each strength is scored 1 (weak) to 5 (strong) for the business, with the reason. It is not a rating of the share.
- Flight record4 of 5
Rocket Lab reports 87 successful Electron launches through Jun 30, 2026, and 21 launches in FY2025. The count leaves out failures, such as the Sep 19, 2023 mission. Its 10-K lists flight record as a factor customers weigh.
- Own launch sites3 of 5
Its private New Zealand complex has two pads and can support up to 120 launches a year, so it does not share slots there. LC-2 in Virginia supports up to 8 a year.
- Making its own parts3 of 5
Five acquisitions from 2020 to 2025 brought parts such as solar cells, reaction wheels and star trackers in house. It still reports reliance on single vendors for some supplies.
- Contracted work3 of 5
Backlog was $2,355.9 million at Jun 30, 2026, with about 45% expected within 12 months. Contracts typically let customers end them on notice and a fee, and five customers held about 77% at Dec 31, 2025.
Weak spot
One flying rocket
The FY2025 10-K lists dependence on Electron for launch revenue as a risk. Electron carries up to 300 kg, and Neutron, the larger rocket, had not launched as of Oct 14, 2026.
17Where growth could come from
17Where growth could come from
Where could Rocket Lab's growth come from?
Rocket Lab said on Aug 10, 2026 that it expected Q3 FY2026 revenue of $250 million to $265 million. It also expected GAAP gross margin of 29% to 31% and GAAP operating expenses of $143 million to $149 million.
Spacecraft manufacturing
Working$189.5M in Q2 FY2026
Space Systems revenue rose 94% from a year earlier, which the filing attributes mainly to spacecraft manufacturing and acquisitions. Space Systems backlog was $1,415.8 million at Jun 30, 2026.
Status: Working, on track against what the company said.
Electron launches
Working21 launches in FY2025
Launches rose from 16 in FY2024, and there were 12 in the first half of FY2026. Launch backlog nearly doubled in Q1 FY2026, from $475.6 million to $921.4 million, and was $940.2 million at Jun 30, 2026.
Status: Working, on track against what the company said.
Neutron rocket
BehindFirst launch moved to 2027
The company first said as early as 2024, then no earlier than the end of 2024, then no earlier than mid-2025, then the second half of 2025. On Nov 10, 2025 it said the rocket would reach Launch Complex 3 in Q1 2026, with the first launch after that. It then gave Q4 2026, and on Oct 14, 2026 moved the first launch to 2027, citing development and process improvements.
Status: Behind, behind the company's own plan.
Iridium purchase
NewAbout $8.0B stated enterprise value
Enterprise value counts debt as well as shares. Rocket Lab said on Sep 15, 2026 that it expected to close by mid-2027. Iridium had FY2025 revenue of $871.7 million, against Rocket Lab's $601.8 million, and is in none of Rocket Lab's results.
Status: New, recently announced.
Smaller acquisitions
New$14.6M of Q2 FY2026 revenue
Mynaric, completed Apr 14, 2026, added $13.2 million of revenue and a $13.2 million operating loss in Q2 FY2026. Motiv Space Systems, completed May 26, 2026, added $1.4 million and a $0.2 million loss.
Status: New, recently announced.
Status compares progress with what the company itself said it would do: Working = on track against what the company said; Mixed = partly on track; Behind = behind the company's own plan; New = recently announced; Early = too early to judge.
18The company's own measures (non-GAAP)
18The company's own measures · FY2025 and Q2 FY2026
What do Rocket Lab's own measures show?
Official (GAAP): Operating loss, FY2025
−$229M
Company's own measure: Adjusted EBITDA, FY2025
−$101M
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, also leaving out items the company calls unrepresentative of ongoing operations, such as stock-based pay and transaction costs.
Official (GAAP): Operating loss, Q2 FY2026
−$57.5M
Company's own measure: Adjusted EBITDA, Q2 FY2026
−$8.8M
Same definition. The company's measure was a $27.6 million loss in Q2 FY2025, when the operating loss was $59.6 million.
Official (GAAP): Gross margin, FY2025
34.4%
Company's own measure: Non-GAAP gross margin, FY2025
39.7%
Gross profit leaving out items the company calls unrepresentative of ongoing operations.
Official (GAAP): Gross margin, Q2 FY2026
36.1%
Company's own measure: Non-GAAP gross margin, Q2 FY2026
41.5%
Same definition.
Official (GAAP): Remaining performance obligations, Jun 30, 2026
$2.4B
Company's own measure: Backlog, Jun 30, 2026
$2.4B
Revenue still to come from signed contracts and purchase orders, excluding options not yet exercised. Launch was $940.2 million and Space Systems $1,415.8 million; about 45% is expected within 12 months. It rose from $995.4 million at Jun 30, 2025.
Official (GAAP): Launch Services revenue, Q2 FY2026 (US$ million)
$44.6M
Company's own measure: Revenue per launch, Q2 FY2026
9.1 US$ million
The company's average contract price for launches in the period, however the revenue is recognized. It was $7.9 million in Q2 FY2025. It does not equal revenue divided by launches.
Official (GAAP): Launch Services cost of revenue, Q2 FY2026 (US$ million)
$25.5M
Company's own measure: Cost per launch, Q2 FY2026
4.4 US$ million
The company's own measure. It was $5.0 million in Q2 FY2025 and $9.2 million for FY2021.
These are the company's own measures, defined by the company. They are not comparable across companies, and they are not added together. Each sits beside the nearest official (GAAP) figure.
Sources
Earnings release, Q4 and FY2025 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1); Form 10-K, fiscal year 2025 (year ended Dec 31, 2025); Earnings release, Q2 FY2026 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) and 4 more
Learn: Non-GAAP measures: what a company's "adjusted" numbers leave out · Stock-based compensation and dilution: pay that becomes shares
19Financial strength and debt
19Financial strength · Jun 30, 2026
How much debt does Rocket Lab have?
- Total debt$14.8M
- Cash and investments$2.4B
- Net cash (cash minus debt)$2.4B
- Net worth (shareholders' money)$3.5B
- Debt to equity
- 0×
- $ of debt for every $1 of shareholders' money
- Debt is $13.1 million of convertible notes plus $1.7 million of borrowings, and leaves out leases. The notes fell from $345.4 million at Dec 31, 2024 through conversions into shares. Net cash is a Cityfort calculation from Q2 FY2026 10-Q.
- Rocket Lab said on Sep 15, 2026 that the share sale, other available cash and Iridium's existing term loan will fund the deal. It also ended a $3.6 billion bridge loan commitment.
- Iridium's $1.775 billion term loan stays in place under an amendment. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. gives an unsecured guarantee when the deal closes.
- Customer advances, recorded as contract liabilities, were $351.2 million at Jun 30, 2026, up from $195.4 million at Dec 31, 2025.
20Who owns it
20Who owns it · ownership as of Mar 30, 2026
Who owns Rocket Lab?
- Officers and directors (as a group), votes
- 8.4%
Share classes
Holders of 5% or more
From the company's proxy statement (DEF 14A), later Schedule 13G filings and the share counts on its latest annual or quarterly report. Each holder row shows the date of its own filing.
Sources
Form 424B5: prospectus supplement, at-the-market program (share count Aug 7, 2026); Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Iridium financing, $1.944 billion share sale completed, bridge ended; Form 10-Q, Q2 FY2026 (quarter ended Jun 30, 2026) and 7 more
Learn: Dual-class shares: when votes and ownership don't match · How to read a proxy statement (DEF 14A): Nvidia's 2026 proxy · Form 4 insider filings: who files, the codes and the footnotes
21What it does with profit
21What it does with profit
What does Rocket Lab do with its profit?
Money raised · Feb 7, 2024
Issued $355 million of 4.250% convertible notes due 2029. Most have since been converted into shares.
$355M
Money raised · Dec 31, 2025
Sold new shares into the market through at-the-market programs in FY2025: $1,146.1 million gross.
$1.1B
Money raised · Jun 30, 2026
Sold new shares into the market in the first half of FY2026: $1,529.6 million gross.
$1.5B
Money raised · Sep 15, 2026
Completed a $1.944 billion gross share sale, issuing 29.3 million shares, to help pay for Iridium.
$1.9B
22Governance signals
22Governance signals
What do Rocket Lab's governance filings show?
- Auditor
- Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Auditor changes
- None in the period covered
- Audit qualifications
- None reported
- Related-party dealings
- The 2026 proxy describes one related-party transaction since Jan 1, 2025. Peter Beck's family trust exchanged 50,951,250 common shares for the same number of Series A preferred shares, completed Jan 7, 2025.
- Credit rating
- No public credit rating found
Flags to know about
other · Apr 6, 2026
Preferred stock rights held by the CEO's family trust
The Equatorial Trust's preferred votes with common stock. Holders also elect at least one director as a separate class, and Beck is that director. It converts to common on transfer, if Beck stops being CEO, on his death or disability, or if it falls below 5% beneficial ownership by him.
shares as collateral · Apr 6, 2026
Shares used as collateral for a loan
CFO Adam Spice used 622,452 shares as collateral for a loan from Morgan Stanley Private Bank, with no scheduled maturity date. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee approved it; company policy bars this unless approved.
other · Jul 8, 2026
Insider sales and trading plans
Beck's trust sold 3,275,779 shares on Jul 6-8, 2026, about $286.4 million (Cityfort calculation from Form 4A filing an insider must make within two business days of buying or selling the company's shares. Learn more filed Jul 8, 2026), automatically under a Rule 10b5-1 planAn insider's trading plan, set up in advance, that buys or sells shares on a schedule. Learn more adopted Mar 27, 2026. Beck sold 18,857 shares on Mar 2, 2026. Spice sold 1,781,144 shares in 2026, about $135.8 million (Cityfort calculation from his 2026 Forms 4); some sales are tied to option exercises and tax withholding.
other · Apr 6, 2026
Staggered board, one person as CEO and Chairman
Directors serve staggered terms, so only some are elected each year. All directors except Beck are independent.
disclosure · Feb 26, 2026
Past control weaknesses, and a new business left out of testing
The FY2021 10-K disclosed material weaknesses in financial controls; the FY2022 10-K said they were believed remediated. That 10-K also disclosed new material weaknesses at SolAero, which was left out of management's assessment and was 14% of assets and 38% of revenue. The FY2023 10-K says those were remediated as of Dec 31, 2023. Management concluded controls were effective at each year end from 2022 to 2025. The FY2025 review excluded GEOST, 14% of assets and 2% of revenue.
late filing · Apr 6, 2026
Late filings
A notice of late filing for the FY2022 10-K came on Mar 1, 2023, and the 10-K followed on Mar 7, 2023. One Form 4 for Beck, on a Nov 15, 2025 transaction, was filed late on Nov 25, 2025.
disclosure · Aug 10, 2026
Largest customer is not named
The filings call Rocket Lab's largest customer only "Government Customer". It paid 42% of revenue in the first half of FY2026.
23What the market paid
23What the market paid · price as of Oct 30, 2026
What did the market pay for Rocket Lab on Oct 30, 2026?
Price as of Oct 30, 2026 (shown for education; prices change daily).
Price as of Oct 30, 2026: Rocket Lab common stock closed at $54.73 on Nasdaq. Market value = $54.73 × 598.46 million common shares (Aug 7, 2026, the latest count a filing states) = about $32,754 million (Cityfort calculation from the Oct 30, 2026 Nasdaq closing price and the 424B5 filed Aug 13, 2026). Rocket Lab said on Sep 15, 2026 that it had issued 29.3 million more shares; no filing yet states the new total. The 40.95 million preferred shares (Jun 30, 2026) are not counted. P/E (price ÷ earnings per share) is not shown because Rocket Lab has net losses.
- Share price
- $54.73
- Market value (market cap)
- $32.8B
Source: RKLB historical prices, Oct 26-30, 2026 (close $54.73 on Oct 30, 2026); Form 424B5: prospectus supplement, at-the-market program (share count Aug 7, 2026); Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Iridium financing, $1.944 billion share sale completed, bridge ended and 1 more
24How it got here
24How it got here
How did Rocket Lab get here?
2006
Milestone
Founded
Peter Beck founded Rocket Lab in 2006. Electron's first launch followed in 2017.
2021
Business-model change
Listed on Nasdaq through a merger
Rocket Lab merged with Vector Acquisition Corp, a shell company set up to take a business public, and began trading on Aug 25, 2021. The deal brought in $728.3 million net.
2022
Business-model change
Bought its way into spacecraft parts
After three smaller deals from 2020 to 2021, it bought SolAero in January 2022. Space Systems revenue rose from $23.3 million in FY2021 to $150.3 million in FY2022.
2023
Crisis
An Electron launch failed
Electron mission 41 failed on Sep 19, 2023 after stage separation.
2023
Milestone
$515 million spacecraft contract
In December 2023 it won a $515 million contract for 18 space vehicles, for the Space Development Agency.
2025
Milestone
GEOST acquired
It bought GEOST on Aug 12, 2025 for $275 million, about $125 million in cash plus 3,057,588 shares, with a possible further earnout.
2025
Milestone
Tranche 3 contract
In December 2025 the Space Development Agency awarded a contract for 18 satellites: $806 million base and $10 million of options. Total backlog rose to $1,847.3 million by Dec 31, 2025.
2026
Crisis
Neutron tank ruptured in a test
A Neutron Stage 1 tank ruptured during a pressure test on Jan 21, 2026. The stated first launch then moved to Q4 2026.
2026
Business-model change
Agreed to buy Iridium
On Jun 28, 2026 it agreed to buy Iridium, a satellite voice and data company. Iridium stockholders approved on Sep 24, 2026 by 85,862,105 votes to 318,415.
2026
Crisis
Neutron moved to 2027
On Oct 14, 2026 the company said Neutron's first launch had moved to 2027, as development and process improvements continued.
25Sources and changes
Where every number on this page comes from
Sources (46 documents)
- S1Form 10-K, fiscal year 2025 (year ended Dec 31, 2025) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Feb 26, 2026
- S2Form 10-K, fiscal year 2024 (year ended Dec 31, 2024) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Feb 27, 2025
- S4Form 10-K, fiscal year 2023 (year ended Dec 31, 2023) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Feb 28, 2024
- S5Form 10-K, fiscal year 2022 (year ended Dec 31, 2022) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Mar 7, 2023
- S6Form 10-K, fiscal year 2021 (year ended Dec 31, 2021) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Mar 24, 2022
- S7Form 10-Q, Q2 FY2026 (quarter ended Jun 30, 2026) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 10, 2026
- S8Form 10-Q, Q1 FY2026 (quarter ended Mar 31, 2026) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · May 7, 2026
- S9Form 10-Q, Q3 FY2025 (quarter ended Sep 30, 2025) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Nov 10, 2025
- S10Form 10-Q, Q2 FY2025 (quarter ended Jun 30, 2025) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 7, 2025
- S11Form 10-Q, Q1 FY2025 (quarter ended Mar 31, 2025) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · May 8, 2025
- S12Form 10-Q, Q3 FY2024 (quarter ended Sep 30, 2024) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Nov 12, 2024
- S14Form 10-Q, Q1 FY2024 (quarter ended Mar 31, 2024) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · May 6, 2024
- S15Earnings release, Q2 FY2026 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 10, 2026
- S16Earnings release, Q1 FY2026 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · May 7, 2026
- S17Earnings release, Q4 and FY2025 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Feb 26, 2026
- S18Earnings release, Q3 FY2025 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Nov 10, 2025
- S19Earnings release, Q2 FY2025 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 7, 2025
- S20Earnings release, Q1 FY2025 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · May 8, 2025
- S21Earnings release, Q4 and FY2024 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Feb 27, 2025
- S22Earnings release, Q3 FY2024 (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Nov 12, 2024
- S25Proxy statement (DEF 14A), 2026 annual meeting · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Apr 6, 2026
- S26Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1: Neutron update, first launch moved to 2027 · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Oct 14, 2026
- S27Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Iridium financing, $1.944 billion share sale completed, bridge ended · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Sep 15, 2026
- S28Form 8-K, Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2: replacement share-sale program; Iridium antitrust period ended, S-4 filed · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 13, 2026
- S32Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Mynaric acquisition completed · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Apr 14, 2026
- S33Form 8-K: CEO salary and bonus reduction · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Mar 30, 2026
- S34Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Neutron Stage 1 tank test rupture · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Jan 22, 2026
- S35Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1: Space Development Agency Tranche 3 contract · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Dec 19, 2025
- S37Form 8-K: agreement to exchange 50,951,250 common shares for preferred stock · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Dec 5, 2024
- S38Form 8-K: $355 million 4.250% convertible notes due 2029 · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Feb 7, 2024
- S39Form 8-K: $515 million contract for 18 space vehicles · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Dec 21, 2023
- S40Form 8-K: Electron launch failure, Sep 19, 2023 · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Sep 26, 2023
- S41Form 8-K: business combination with Vector Acquisition completed · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 31, 2021
- S42Form S-4/A: registration of shares for the Iridium merger · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 24, 2026
- S43Form 424B5: prospectus supplement, at-the-market program (share count Aug 7, 2026) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Aug 13, 2026
- S45Schedule 13D/A No. 10: VK Services and Vinod Khosla · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Feb 17, 2026
- S46Schedule 13G: Vanguard Capital Management (event date Jun 30, 2026) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Jul 31, 2026
- S47Schedule 13G/A: The Vanguard Group, reports 0 after internal realignment (event date Mar 13, 2026) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Mar 27, 2026
- S48Schedule 13G: BlackRock, Inc. (event date Sep 30, 2025) · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Oct 17, 2025
- S49Form 4: Peter Beck, Equatorial Trust sales Jul 6-8, 2026 under a Rule 10b5-1 plan · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Jul 8, 2026
- S50Form 4: Peter Beck, conversion of 5,000,000 preferred shares May 26, 2026 · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · May 28, 2026
- S51Form 4: Adam Spice, January 2026 option exercises and sales · Rocket Lab Corporation (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Jan 6, 2026
- S52Form 8-K: Iridium stockholders approved the merger (special meeting, Sep 24, 2026) · Iridium Communications Inc. (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Sep 24, 2026
- S53RKLB historical prices, Oct 26-30, 2026 (close $54.73 on Oct 30, 2026) · Nasdaq · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Oct 30, 2026
- S54EDGAR filing list and company facts, CIK 0001819994 · U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Nov 1, 2026
- S56Form 10-Q, quarter ended Sep 30, 2026: deal status and remaining closing conditions · Iridium Communications Inc. (SEC EDGAR) · Tier 1: company or exchange filing · Oct 20, 2026
Changes to this page (v2 · Nov 1, 2026)
- v2 · Nov 1, 2026Standardized calculation labels to name the filing they come from; no figures changed. (editorial update, Q2 FY2026)
- v1 · Nov 1, 2026First version, through Q2 FY2026 (quarter ended Jun 30, 2026). (first version)
Numbers come only from tier 1 and tier 2 sources. Read how we research.
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