Rocket Lab Accelerates US Space Defense with Record-Setting Launch

LONG BEACH, CA – December 18, 2025 – In a powerful display of speed and reliability, Rocket Lab Corporation successfully launched a critical mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) from its Virginia launch pad, deploying a new class of experimental satellites five months ahead of schedule. The mission, whimsically named ‘Don’t Be Such A Square’, not only marks a significant milestone for the company but also underscores a pivotal shift in U.S. military space strategy towards more agile and responsive capabilities.

The Electron rocket lifted off from Wallops Island just after midnight, carrying four innovative DiskSat spacecraft into a 550km low Earth orbit. This launch, the company's 20th of 2025 and 78th overall, completes a busy quarter of national security-focused missions from its U.S. launch site and solidifies Rocket Lab's role as a key partner in the nation's defense space architecture.

A New Era of Responsive Space Access

The most striking aspect of the STP-S30 mission was its accelerated timeline. Executed in collaboration with the USSF’s Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), the mission was completed a full five months ahead of its revised schedule. This rapid execution is not just an operational achievement; it is a direct answer to the Pentagon's growing demand for "Tactically Responsive Space" (TacRS)—the ability to rapidly deploy space assets to meet urgent military needs on the ground.

This focus on speed represents a departure from the decades-long paradigm of developing and launching large, exquisite, and incredibly expensive satellites over many years. The Space Force is now aggressively pursuing a hybrid architecture that includes proliferated constellations of smaller, more affordable satellites that can be launched quickly to augment or replace capabilities in a crisis.

"Rocket Lab’s speed, streamlined operations, and reliability were on full display with this flawless Electron launch for STP-S30, and we’re proud to be strengthening the nation’s space capabilities," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck. "We’re meeting the space access demands of the U.S. Space Force with our consistent execution."

The sentiment was echoed by military leadership, who lauded the mission's rapid turnaround. "Accelerating this launch by five months underscores our commitment to rapidly delivering innovative capabilities to the Space Force," stated Lt. Col. Brian Shimek, Director of the Department of War Space Test Program. "Proving these advanced technologies in the space environment is a critical step towards their integration into future operational Space Force systems, ensuring our nation maintains its edge in space."

'Don't Be Such A Square': A Revolution in Satellite Design

Beyond the rapid launch, the mission’s payload is poised to have a lasting impact on satellite design. The four DiskSat spacecraft represent a fundamental rethinking of the small satellite form factor, moving beyond the ubiquitous, box-shaped CubeSat. Developed by The Aerospace Corporation and funded by NASA, each DiskSat is a flat, plate-shaped vehicle about one meter in diameter and only 2.5 centimeters thick.

This unique design offers several key advantages. Its large surface area is ideal for mounting solar panels, enabling power generation of over 200 watts without complex, failure-prone deployable arrays. This power budget can support more demanding payloads, such as high-performance sensors or powerful communication systems. The flat layout also simplifies manufacturing and testing, as components are more accessible, potentially driving down both cost and production timelines.

Furthermore, the DiskSat design is highly efficient for launch. Multiple satellites can be stacked like plates within a rocket's fairing and deployed sequentially, making them ideal for building out the large, resilient constellations favored by the Space Force. A single small rocket like the Electron could potentially launch more than 20 DiskSats at once. This mission will test the satellites' electric propulsion, maneuverability, and the custom dispenser mechanism, paving the way for future operational use in both defense and commercial sectors.

Fueling Growth with National Security Partnerships

The STP-S30 launch is the latest and most visible sign of Rocket Lab's deepening integration into the U.S. national security industrial base. While known for its frequent commercial launches, the company has strategically cultivated a robust portfolio of defense contracts that are fueling its growth and technological development.

This year alone, Rocket Lab has secured several landmark agreements. In a transformative move, the company was awarded a $515 million contract by the Space Development Agency (SDA) to build and operate 18 data transport satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This contract elevated Rocket Lab from a launch provider to a prime satellite contractor for the Department of Defense.

Furthermore, the company was selected for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 contract, making its upcoming, larger Neutron rocket eligible to compete for a share of a $5.6 billion pool of launch orders. It is also a key player in the Victus Haze project, a $32 million effort to demonstrate the ability to launch and operate a space vehicle on extremely short notice. With a reported backlog of over $1 billion, these defense partnerships provide a stable and significant revenue stream, underpinning the company's record-breaking launch cadence and ambitious expansion plans.

Reshaping the Military's Orbital Strategy

The successful deployment of the DiskSats on an accelerated timeline is a microcosm of a broader strategic evolution within the U.S. military. Faced with a contested space domain, the Space Force is actively moving to make its orbital assets more resilient and responsive. The strategy hinges on two pillars: proliferation and speed.

By building large constellations of smaller satellites, the SDA and other military branches aim to create a network that is more difficult for an adversary to disable. Losing one or even several small satellites is far less catastrophic than losing a single, multi-billion-dollar geostationary asset. The DiskSat concept, with its potential for low-cost mass production and deployment, aligns perfectly with this vision.

At the same time, the ability of companies like Rocket Lab to launch missions on demand, or even ahead of schedule, gives military planners unprecedented flexibility. This "responsive launch" capability means the Space Force can rapidly replace damaged satellites, deploy new technologies to counter emerging threats, or surge assets to a specific theater of operations. The STP-S30 mission, delivered 16 months from contract award to launch, serves as a powerful proof of concept for this new operational tempo. This successful mission is a testament to the powerful synergy between commercial innovation and national security imperatives, setting a new standard for the nation's presence in orbit.