Rocket Lab wins a $515M Space Development Agency contract for 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer satellites

Rocket Lab

The Space Development Agency picked Rocket Lab as prime contractor on January 8 for 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta satellites under a $515 million fixed-price agreement. This was Rocket Lab's first defense prime contract and marked its shift from launch provider to satellite manufacturer.

• Announced 8 January 2024; $515 million fixed-price contract; 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta data-relay satellites.
• First defense prime contract for Rocket Lab; major step from launch services provider to designing and building satellite constellations.
• Launch scheduled no later than July 2027; demonstrates Rocket Lab's vertical integration into satellite production.