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Rocket Lab Neutron Lands $515 Million in Space Force and Satellite Launch Deals Before First Flight
Rocket Lab disclosed more than $515 million in contracts for eight Neutron launches booked during the third quarter of 2026, including missions for the US Space Force and commercial satellite customers. The commitments came from five operators, among them ICEYE, Muon Space, Starcloud and Kepler Communications, bringing the unflown medium-lift rocket's manifest to 16 missions. Rocket Lab also raised Neutron's stated base launch price from $55 million to $70 million as it prepared its reusable first-stage architecture for flight. The bookings are launch-service agreements rather than completed missions, and flight execution depends on the rocket's first successful launch and subsequent qualification.