
analysisMarch 2, 2026
Rocket Lab: From Humble Beginnings to End-to-End Space Company
From a 2006 Auckland garage to a publicly traded end-to-end space company — Peter Beck, Electron, Neutron, Photon, and Rocket Lab's CAPSTONE Moon mission for NASA.

From a 2006 Auckland garage to a publicly traded end-to-end space company — Peter Beck, Electron, Neutron, Photon, and Rocket Lab's CAPSTONE Moon mission for NASA.

Rocket Lab's Electron has flown 75+ missions; Neutron is now targeting late 2026 from Wallops. Peter Beck, the Archimedes engine, and the plan to challenge SpaceX in medium lift.

Rocket Lab's Electron has flown 50+ missions and the company is now profitable. Neutron, Archimedes engines, HASTE hypersonics, and why Peter Beck's bet is paying off.

Launch costs compared: Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Vulcan Centaur, New Glenn, Neutron, Electron, Ariane 6, Long March, and Starship — list prices, $/kg, and reusability.