---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001819994-25-000024"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "RKLB"
cik: "0001819994"
company_name: "Rocket Lab Corp"
filed_at: "2025-12-19T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T12:37:36.626311+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Rocket Lab wins $816M SDA contract for 18 missile-defense satellites

## Summary
- Largest contract: $816M ($806M base + $10.45M options) to build 18 missile-defense satellites for U.S. Space Force SDA's Tracking Layer Tranche 3.
- Satellites use Rocket Lab's Phoenix infrared sensor and StarLite protection sensors, built on vertically integrated Lightning platform.
- Potential total capture ~$1B including subsystem sales to other prime contractors on the program.
- Follows $515M SDA Transport Layer Beta award; total SDA contracts now >$1.3B. Delivery expected by 2029.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001819994-25-000024
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: RKLB
- cik: 0001819994
- company_name: Rocket Lab Corp
- filed_at: 2025-12-19T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 7.01, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1819994/000181999425000024/0001819994-25-000024-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1819994/000181999425000024/rklb-20251217.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001819994-25-000024
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001819994-25-000024.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001819994-25-000024.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.