Long Beach, Calif., May 07, 2026
Long Beach, Calif., May 07, 2026--Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) today shared the financial results for fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2026. The company reported US$ 200 million in revenue, consistent execution across launch and space systems programs, a record number of significant new contracts signed, and strategic acquisitions secured. We exited the quarter with $2.2 billion in backlog and currently have access to more than US$ 2 billion in liquidity.
Highlights for the First Quarter 2026, plus business updates since March 31, 2026.
- Record quarterly revenue of US$ 200.3M, a 63.5% increase YoY
- Record GAAP gross margin of 38.2%
- Record backlog of US$ 2.2B, up 20.2% QoQ
- Record liquidity following completion of at-the-market offering, with access to more than $2 billion in total liquidity strongly positioning the Company for further organic growth and M&A execution
- Record new launch contracts, with 31 new Electron and HASTE contracts signed in Q1, plus five new dedicated Neutron launches signed. Rocket Lab has now sold more launches in Q1 2026 than in the full year 2025, demonstrating strong continued demand and growth for the Company’s extensive launch capabilities. Rocket Lab’s total launch manifest now exceeds 70 contracted missions.
- Completed the acquisition of Mynaric AG, a leading provider of laser optical communications terminals for air, space, and mobile applications which further strengthens Rocket Lab’s extensive capabilities as a supplier of satellite components at scale to the global space market.
- Signed a definitive agreement to acquire Motiv Space Systems, a leader in space robotics, motion control systems, and precision mechanisms for spacecraft. The acquisition will achieve two strategic objectives for Rocket Lab: add Mars-proven robotics capability for advanced planetary and national security missions, and closes a critical gap in Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy by bringing in-house costly and supply-constrained satellite components like solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) and other precision mechanisms.
- Selected to directly support the Department of War’s Space Based Interceptor (SBI) program, a critical element of President Trump’s Golden Dome for America, in partnership with Raytheon. Rocket Lab’s launch and satellite capabilities are both being utilized for SBI, demonstrating the value of the Company’s agile and cost-effective end-to-end space capabilities for the warfighter and positioning the Company to capture significant revenue from what could become the U.S. government’s most important national security program.
- Introduced Gauss, a new electric satellite thruster designed for high-volume production to meet the growing demand for reliable satellite propulsion across commercial and national security constellations.
- Achieved significant milestones across the Neutron program with ongoing integration and readiness of first-flight hardware, continued progress on Archimedes engine qualification, and advancement of the second stage and reusable fairing systems, positioning the medium-lift launch vehicle on track for its debut launch later this year.
Second Quarter 2026 Guidance
For the second quarter of 2026, Rocket Lab expects:
- Revenue between US$ 225 million and US$ 240 million.
- GAAP Gross Margins between 33% and 35%.
- Non-GAAP Gross Margins between 38% and 40%.
- GAAP Operating Expenses between US$ 138 million and US$ 144 million.
- Non-GAAP Operating Expenses between US$ 120 million and US$ 126 million.
- Interest Income, net US$ 12.5 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA loss of between US$ 20 million and US$ 26 million.
- Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding of 629 million, including approximately 46 million of Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Shares.
