Rocket Lab completes a wet dress rehearsal from Wallops Island ahead of its first launch from the U.S. Photo: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab has created a U.S. subsidiary to serve the U.S. defense and intelligence community, Rocket Lab National Security LLC (RLNS), the company announced Dec. 1. 

Rocket Lab was founded in New Zealand and operates launch activities out of New Zealand, but is registered in the United States with the full name Rocket Lab USA, with headquarters in Long Beach, California.

This new national security subsidiary will provide launch services and space systems capabilities to the U.S. government and its allies, the company said. 

The company has been serving U.S. national security customers with missions supporting the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), U.S. Space Force, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It is now is preparing for its first launch from the U.S. out of Wallops Island in Virginia 

“Through Electron, Neutron, and Space Systems, we’ve got first-hand experience of each market’s unique needs. Top of the list for national security is reliability and responsiveness, something we’ve delivered on across multiple missions already. With Rocket Lab National Security we’re building on this strong heritage to deliver tailored capabilities that evolve as the nation’s needs do,” commented Brian Rogers, senior director of Global Government Launch Services.