Rocket Lab Wins DARPA Contract for Upcoming Experimental Satellite Launch
Rocket Lab secures a launch contract with the Defense Department's research wing to send an experimental membrane antenna into orbit. This mission highlights the startup's ability to provide cheap and rapid dedicated launches for small satellites.
Rocket Lab adds a major new client to its roster by securing a launch contract with DARPA, the Defense Department's research wing. The New Zealand-based startup will send an experimental satellite called R3D2 into low Earth orbit in late February. This partnership shows how Rocket Lab's business model of providing cheap and frequent launches appeals to deep-pocketed government agencies that previously face cost or timing restrictions.
The R3D2 satellite carries a unique "membrane antenna" made of a thin layer of Kapton that folds up tightly for launch and unfurls to a 7-foot diameter in space. This larger surface area aims to improve signal reception and transmission while saving room for other components. Because the 150-kilogram payload takes up too much space for ride-sharing, DARPA pays for the entire Electron rocket.
This upcoming launch represents a significant milestone for Rocket Lab as it continues to build its industry profile alongside previous clients like NASA and private companies. The mission will take off from the company's facility on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand, with the exact date depending on weather and other variables. Successfully delivering this DARPA payload will further validate Rocket Lab's dedicated small satellite launch services.