Rocket Lab Awarded Space Force Contract for STP-30 Launch

Rocket Lab USA has secured a $14.49 million task order from the U.S. Space Force to launch the Space Test Program-30 mission from its Launch Complex 2.

The Electron mission is part of the Space Systems Command’s Orbital Services Program-4 and will deliver various research experiments and technology demonstrations into orbit for the Department of Defense, Rocket Lab said.

The launch, scheduled within 24 months after the contract award, will lift off from the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The primary payload is expected to be DISKSat, a satellite designed to demonstrate sustained very low Earth orbit flight and test a disk-shaped satellite bus for enhanced orbital persistence.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck underscored the importance of responsive and reliable launch capabilities for ensuring resilient space capabilities for the country.

He also emphasized Rocket Lab’s track record of successful launches for the DOD, including the Monolith mission supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory and the STP-27RD mission, which deployed research and development satellites.

Apart from STP-S30, Rocket Lab is also collaborating with the USSF on the development of Neutron, the company’s new medium-lift launch vehicle.