# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001819994
**File Stem:** 0001819994-25-000024
**Filing Date:** 2025-12
**Character Count:** 16055
**Document Hash:** ab7a0620d1c29739b0ec73f5b59b2727
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001819994-25-000024.hdr.sgml**: 20251219

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001819994-25-000024

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 14

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251217

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Regulation FD Disclosure

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Other Events

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20251219

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20251219

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Rocket Lab Corp
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001819994
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** GUIDED MISSILES & SPACE VEHICLES & PARTS [3760]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 04 Manufacturing
- **EIN:** 392182599
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-39560
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251587686

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 3881 MCGOWEN STREET
- **CITY:** LONG BEACH
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 90808
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 714-465-5737

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 3881 MCGOWEN STREET
- **CITY:** LONG BEACH
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 90808

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20210831

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Vector Acquisition Corp
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20200803

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? rklb-20251217

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 17, 2025**

**ROCKET LAB CORPORATION**

**(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-39560** | **39-2182599** |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction<br>of Incorporation)** | **(Commission File Number)** | **(IRS Employer<br>Identification No.)** |
| **3881 McGowen Street** | | |
| **Long Beach, California** | | **90808** |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices)** | | **(Zip Code)** |

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**Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 714 465-5737**

**Not Applicable**

**(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)**

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

**Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:**

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading<br>Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange on which registered** |
| Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share | RKLB | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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**Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.**

On December 19, 2025, Rocket Lab Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing an award from the Space Development Agency ("SDA") to design, manufacture and provide operations and sustainment for 18 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 program under the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information set forth under this Item 7.01 and in Exhibit 99.1 is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in any such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

**Item 8.01 Other Events.**

On December 17, 2025, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Rocket Lab USA, Inc., entered into an agreement with the SDA to design, manufacture and provide operations and sustainment for 18 satellites. The contract with SDA has a total value of $816 million, which includes a base amount of $806 million and options totaling $10 million. Work under the agreement will begin immediately with final delivery of the satellites for launch expected in 2029. The agreement allows either party to terminate the agreement for convenience at any time, subject to certain termination conditions as outlined in the agreement.

***Forward-Looking Statements***

*This report may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, including without limitation expectations regarding the timing of scheduled delivery of satellites to SDA and anticipated benefits of the contract, are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects, and contain a number of risk and uncertainties (many of which are beyond the Company's control), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this report, including customer contractual rescheduling and termination rights and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that the future developments affecting the Company will be those that we have anticipated. Except as required by law, the Company is not undertaking any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.*

**Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

(d) Exhibits.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Exhibit | Description |
| 99.1 | <u>[Press Release of Rocket Lab Corporation, dated December 19, 2025](ex991.htm)</u> |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |

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**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | | | **ROCKET LAB CORPORATION** |
| Date: | December 19, 2025 | By: | /s/ Adam Spice |
|  |  |  | Adam Spice<br>Chief Financial Officer |

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## Exhibit 99.1

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **MEDIA RELEASE** | ![rocketlablogoa.jpg](rocketlablogoa.jpg) |

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**Exhibit 99.1**

**Rocket Lab Awarded $816M Prime Contract to Build Missile- Defense Satellite Constellation for U.S. Space Force**

*Rocket Lab's largest contract to date solidifies its position as a disruptive force in national security space, redefining the speed and efficiency of satellite production and challenging legacy aerospace primes.*

**Long Beach, California. December 19, 2025** – Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or "the Company"), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it has been awarded a landmark prime contract by the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) to design and manufacture 18 satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 (TRKT3) program under the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The award is Rocket Lab's largest single contract to date and underscores its growing reputation as a trusted prime in national security space.

Under the $816 million contract, Rocket Lab will deliver satellites equipped with advanced missile warning, tracking, and defense sensors to provide global, persistent detection and tracking of emerging missile threats, including hypersonic systems. The award includes a $806 million base contract plus up to $10.45 million in options. Each satellite will feature Rocket Lab's next-generation Phoenix infrared sensor payload, a wide field-of-view (WFOV) solution designed to meet the evolving missile defense needs of national security space. To ensure mission resilience, the satellites will be equipped with Rocket Lab's advanced StarLite space protection sensors, designed to safeguard the constellation against directed energy threats. Notably, StarLite sensors have also been adopted by other prime contractors developing TRKT3 satellites, further expanding Rocket Lab's role in the program and unlocking additional contract value beyond its own satellite production. In addition to the $816M prime contract award value, as a leading merchant supplier into the other TRKT3 prime contractors, there are additional subsystem opportunities that could take the total capture value to approximately $1 billion for supplying items such as payloads, solar solutions, attitude determination and control components, software, and other solutions from our broad portfolio of capabilities.

**Disrupting Traditional Defense Primes with Vertical Integration**

Rocket Lab's satellites will be built on its proven Lightning platform, leveraging the Company's vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities to deliver an unmatched combination of speed, cost efficiency, and quality. All major components – from solar arrays, reaction wheels and star trackers to propulsion systems, avionics, payloads, and launch dispensers – are designed and produced in-house. This end-to-end approach enables Rocket Lab to rapidly scale production while maintaining control over cost and schedule, a critical advantage in meeting the urgent demands of national security missions.

rocketlabcorp.com \| media@rocketlabusa.com

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|:---|:---|
| **MEDIA RELEASE** | ![rocketlablogoa.jpg](rocketlablogoa.jpg) |

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"The Tranche 3 Tracking Layer constellation is part of the U.S. Space Force's strategy to counter rapidly evolving global threats, ensuring the nation's defense capabilities remain ahead of adversaries. Rocket Lab is honored to play a role in enabling this," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. "Demand for resilient, scalable, and affordable space systems continues to grow, and this award demonstrates that Rocket Lab is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in delivering solutions that meet the needs of national security. As the only commercial provider producing both spacecraft and payloads in-house for the SDA Tracking Layer, Rocket Lab is delivering a truly disruptive solution that combines speed, resilience, and affordability. This contract underscores that Rocket Lab's vertically integrated approach isn't just a competitive advantage – we're enabling a fundamental shift in how national security space programs are executed."

**Building on Momentum: $1.3 Billion in SDA Contracts Awarded**

This contract builds on Rocket Lab's existing $515 million award to deliver 18 satellites for SDA's Transport Layer-Beta Tranche 2 program, which provides secure, low-latency communications across the PWSA. The more than $1.3 billion in contract value now awarded to Rocket Lab by SDA demonstrates strong confidence in Rocket Lab's ability to execute on large-scale, high-stakes national security programs.

Rocket Lab's growing role as a prime contractor for the U.S. Space Force highlights its emergence as a formidable competitor to legacy aerospace primes. By combining technology, vertical integration, and a proven track record of delivering results, Rocket Lab is redefining what's possible in national security space.

**+ Rocket Lab Media Contact**

media@rocketlabusa.com

**+ About Rocket Lab** 

Rocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components serving commercial, government, and national security markets. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is the world's most frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides hypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations; and its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for constellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket Lab's spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700 missions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. Rocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange (RKLB). Learn more at <u>www.rocketlabcorp.com</u>.

rocketlabcorp.com \| media@rocketlabusa.com

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **MEDIA RELEASE** | ![rocketlablogoa.jpg](rocketlablogoa.jpg) |

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**+ Forward Looking Statements**

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "potential," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "strategy," "future," "could," "would," "project," "plan," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabcorp.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

rocketlabcorp.com \| media@rocketlabusa.com