Rocket Lab Inks Neutron Launch Deal with Kepler Communications
Press Release
Long Beach, Calif. August 10, 2026: Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has been selected to launch a dedicated Neutron mission for space infrastructure company Kepler Communications Inc (Kepler).
Launching from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 on Wallops Island, Virginia, no earlier than 2028, Neutron will deploy multiple satellites to low Earth orbit, expanding Kepler’s constellation with additional optical connectivity, on-orbit compute, and hosted payload capacity. The satellites will support a range of commercial and government missions.
While Kepler has previously relied on rideshare capacity to deploy its first 33 satellites, this Neutron launch contract is the first time they’ve booked a dedicated mission on a commercial launch vehicle – providing Kepler with much greater control over launch schedule and orbital parameters to meet their constellation requirements.
Sir Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab said: “We’re proud to add Kepler to the growing list of organizations selecting Neutron to deliver their missions to orbit. Neutron is the space industry’s next generation medium-lift rocket that puts constellation operators in the driver’s seat with tailored missions and secure access to space.”
"Selecting Rocket Lab for our first dedicated launch marks an important milestone for Kepler as we continue to scale our infrastructure,” said Mina Mitry, CEO and co-founder of Kepler. “Our customer demand continues to grow, and dedicated launch provides the flexibility to expand and deliver more capacity and capability to the missions we support."
This latest mission in a consecutive streak of commercial contracts pushes Neutron’s manifest toward full capacity through the end of the decade, demonstrating the competitive solution that Neutron brings to medium-lift launch globally. Engineered to deliver the world’s most important missions to space, Neutron combines reusability, innovation and performance, and Rocket Lab’s proven flight heritage to deliver a rocket to break worldwide launch
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) is an end-to-end space company delivering rockets, satellites, and spacecraft components for commercial, government, and defense missions. Driven by its industry-leading small-lift rockets Electron and HASTE and its upcoming reusable Neutron medium-lift rocket, Rocket Lab delivers reliable and responsive launch for the world’s most important missions from constellation deployment to missile defense. Rocket Lab’s satellites and components have powered more than 1,700 missions in Earth orbit, as well as deep-space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.
About Kepler
Kepler Communications Inc. is a space infrastructure provider on a mission to deliver real-time access to space data. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. Kepler has achieved industry-leading milestones, including the first commercial on-orbit demonstration of SDA-compatible optical inter-satellite links and successful space-to-air and space-to-ground optical communication demonstrations. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Kepler is building a global company to enable communications for the future space economy.