Rocket Lab successfully completed the US Space Force mission.

Rocket Lab Completes Important Mission for the U.S. Space Force

Rocket Lab has taken a significant step in national security with the successful completion of the "Don’t Be Such A Square" STP-S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command. This mission highlights the company's capability to conduct low-cost and highly responsive launches.

Strategic Support for National Defense

The mission is recorded as Rocket Lab’s fourth LC-2 launch in the last three months, supporting the Department of Defense’s goals in space and defense technology. The company conducted this launch approximately five months ahead of the planned date, contributing to the U.S. maintaining its leadership in space and accelerating the development of critical technologies.

Launch Details and Payload Deployment

On December 18, at 00:03 EST (UTC 05:03), Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia, placing four DiskSat satellites into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers for the Department of Defense's Space Test Program. The DiskSats are designed by the Aerospace Corporation and operated by the Space Systems Command’s System Delta 89 unit, led by Colonel Cesar Rodriguez.

2025 Launch Milestones

The "Don’t Be Such A Square" mission marks the 20th launch of Electron in 2025 and the 78th mission overall, setting a new record for the company’s annual launches. Rocket Lab's founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck stated, "We are consistently meeting the U.S. Space Force's demands for access to space. This launch is a testament to Rocket Lab's achievements in national security and commercial space."

Additionally, Colonel Brian Shimek, Director of the Space Test Program at the Department of Defense, commented, "Our partnership with Rocket Lab and the success achieved in this launch is a critical step for the future integration of operational Space Force systems."