Rocket Lab Secures $397M Space Force Contract for 'Flatellite' Constellation
The US Space Force has selected Rocket Lab to develop, launch, and operate a network of threat-tracking satellites, utilizing the company's new vertically integrated flat-packed spacecraft design.
Strategic Integration Confirmed
Rocket Lab has secured a $397 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to spearhead a critical component of the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) program. According to Payload, this agreement tasks the company with the end-to-end development, launch, and orbital management of a new constellation designed to identify and track moving threats in real-time.
The Flatellite Architecture
The mission centers on Rocket Lab’s fifth spacecraft iteration: the "Flatellite." These units utilize a flat-packed, stackable design optimized for mass manufacturing and high-density launch configurations. This architecture allows the company to maximize payload volume, mirroring the deployment efficiencies seen in large-scale commercial constellations.
Equipped with high-bandwidth, low-latency communication links and advanced sensors, these satellites will feed raw data into Rocket Lab’s AI processing systems. The resulting intelligence will provide the Department of Defense with tactical oversight of airborne targets, augmenting existing terrestrial and aerial sensor networks.
Vertical Autonomy
According to CEO Peter Beck, this contract validates Rocket Lab’s push for total vertical integration. The Flatellites will be launched aboard the upcoming Neutron medium-lift vehicle and managed via the company’s proprietary MAX flight software and InterMission ground systems. This internal ecosystem is specifically designed to meet the rigorous cybersecurity protocols required for national security assets.
Rocket Lab was one of three vendors selected for the broader $615 million funding pool, joining Systems & Technology Research and an undisclosed third party. The win signals a transition for Rocket Lab from a secondary launch provider to a primary prime contractor for orbital infrastructure.