Rocket Lab hasn’t said a word, but news of a huge U.S. government contract dropped via an SEC filing today:

On December 21, 2023, Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (the “Company”), through its wholly owned subsidiary Rocket Lab National Security, entered into an agreement with a United States government customer (“Customer”) to design, manufacture, deliver, and operate 18 space vehicles. The contract with the Customer has a total value of $515 million, which includes a base amount of $489 million and incentives and options totaling $26 million. Work under the agreement will begin immediately with the delivery of the space vehicles to the Customer for launch slated for 2027, operation of the satellites through 2030, and an option to operate the satellites through 2033. The agreement contains customary default and termination provisions. In addition, either party may elect to terminate the agreement for convenience at any time as provided in the agreement, subject to certain termination conditions.

I suspect that we’ll hear more Friday. This is a game-changing contract for the company that is landing as they head into 2024 with Electron launches fully booked for the entire year, Neutron development well underway, and revenue expected to potentially top $100M in Q1 alone.