Posted: Sun, May 10 7:49 AM ET (1149 GMT)
Rocket Lab announced Thursday the largest launch contract in its history. The company signed a contract with a confidential customer for five Neutron and three Electron launches between 2026 and 2029. The company did not disclose the contract's value but said it sold the launches at average prices for those vehicles and the total contract value exceeded the $190 million award for 20 launches of its HASTE suborbital vehicle it announced in March. Rocket Lab says it is still planning a first launch of Neutron in the fourth quarter but acknowledged that is an "aggressive schedule." Rocket Lab also announced it would acquire space robotics company Motiv Space Systems, which produces components ranging from the robotic arm on the Perseverance Mars rover to solar array drive assemblies. The acquisition helps Rocket Lab vertically integrate its satellite manufacturing supply chain.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  Bloomberg News article
•  Aviation Week article
•  Radio New Zealand article
•  Rocket Lab press release

Posted: Sun, May 10 7:45 AM ET (1145 GMT)
HawkEye 360 soared in its first day of trading as a public company Thursday. The company sold shares at $26 and saw their price rise more than 30%, closing at $34 on the New York Stock Exchange. The company raised $416 million in the IPO. The company announced plans last month to go public, funding further development of its constellation of satellites that provide radio-frequency intelligence services.

Related Links:

•  Wall Street Journal article
•  Reuters article
•  CityBiz article

Astranis raises $450 million
Posted: Sun, May 10 7:41 AM ET (1141 GMT)
Astranis has raised more than $450 million in equity and debt to expand its production of small GEO communications satellites. The funding, announced Wednesday, includes...

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites
Posted: Sun, May 10 7:38 AM ET (1138 GMT)
SpaceX launched more Starlink satellites Tuesday night. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 11:59 pm EDT (0359...

Firefly Aerospace plans late summer debut of upgraded Alpha rocket
Posted: Sun, May 10 7:34 AM ET (1134 GMT)
Firefly Aerospace expects to perform the first launch of its upgraded Alpha rocket later this summer. In an earnings call Monday, Firefly executives said the...