Rocket Lab published its results for the second quarter of 2026 on 10 August. The company reported record revenue, a record backlog and progress on its new Neutron rocket.
The key figures
- Revenue Q2 2026: 234 million US dollars, 62 percent more than a year earlier
- Backlog: 2.36 billion US dollars, an increase of 137 percent
- Guidance Q3 2026: revenue between 250 and 265 million US dollars
- New launch contracts: more than 437 million US dollars during and after the quarter
According to Rocket Lab, the launch backlog now includes more than 90 planned launches across Electron, the suborbital HASTE variant and Neutron.
Rocket Lab Q2 2026 results at a glance
- Revenue: 234 million US dollars in Q2 2026, up 62 percent year over year.
- Backlog: 2.36 billion US dollars, up 137 percent year over year.
- Q3 2026 guidance: revenue of 250 to 265 million US dollars and an adjusted EBITDA loss of 17 to 23 million US dollars.
- Neutron: target delivery to the launch pad in Q4 2026.
Contracts behind the record backlog
- A 397 million US dollar contract to deliver multiple Flatellite spacecraft, to be launched on Neutron, for the US Space Force's Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) programme.
- More than 160 million US dollars across two contracts to build three geostationary satellites.
- More than 437 million US dollars in new launch contracts during and after the quarter, with more than 90 launches in the backlog.
Rocket Lab also closed the acquisitions of Mynaric and Motiv during the period.
Neutron: status of the new rocket
Neutron is Rocket Lab's reusable medium-lift rocket and a major step up from the small Electron launcher. According to the company, production of the Neutron Stage 1 tank is currently aligned with the target delivery of Neutron to the launch pad in Q4 2026. Rocket Lab reports important milestones in the assembly, integration and testing of the first flight hardware. The plan is to deliver the vehicle to the launch pad in Q4 2026, with the first launch to follow.
Acquisition of Iridium
Rocket Lab also announced an agreement to acquire Iridium Communications. According to Rocket Lab, the combination creates a vertically integrated space company that designs, builds, launches and operates satellite constellations and provides global communication services.
"Q2 was another fantastic quarter for Rocket Lab, highlighted by record results and massive momentum."Sir Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab
Why Neutron matters for the market
With Neutron, Rocket Lab would move into the medium-lift class and offer a further option for constellation launches beside the established heavy launchers. The first flight will show how quickly the company can bring the vehicle into regular service.
Related reading
- Rocket Lab Flies 96th Electron Mission and Launches 12th StriX Radar Satellite for Synspective
- Reusable Rockets: How Booster Landings Changed the Launch Market
- Space Transport Companies: Latest News and Updates (September 2026)
Sources
- Rocket Lab, "Rocket Lab Announces Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results", 10 August 2026: investors.rocketlabcorp.com
Cover image: AI-generated illustration (Carrier Space, created with OpenAI). It does not show the actual vehicle.