Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital Signs $150 Million Conditional Loan Commitment With Rocket Lab
The U.S. Department of War announced on November 9 that its Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) has signed a $150 million conditional loan commitment with Rocket Lab USA, Inc., the principal operating subsidiary of Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) and a global leader in launch services and space systems.
The Department said the loan would support Rocket Lab's efforts to increase the flight rate of its reusable Neutron rocket beyond first launch, to meet growing commercial and national security demand for access to space. OSC said the commitment supports a critical national security priority: scaling America's space launch capabilities and supporting economic resiliency.
Under the announcement, the proposed loan would support faster vehicle delivery and processing and allow Rocket Lab to expand its fleet of maritime vessels with additional equipment for Neutron recovery and transport. It would also enable manufacturing upgrades to increase production of composite structures and engines, and support infrastructure that would reduce turnaround time between launches once the reusable rocket makes its operational debut.
Neutron is a reusable launch vehicle designed to deliver payloads of approximately 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit, engineered for rapid constellation deployment, national security payloads, and future interplanetary missions. The Department said the rocket would provide the U.S. government with a capable new medium-lift launch platform, ensuring uninterrupted access to space.
"This conditional commitment would enable Rocket Lab to create more launch opportunities for commercial and government customers using its Neutron rocket and strengthen the United States' launch capacity with a repeatable and reliable new space launch platform," said Peter F. Anderson, Senior Vice President (Investments) at OSC. Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, said: "I applaud the Office of Strategic Capital for investing in critical space launch capabilities. President Trump's vision makes it clear that space superiority is vital to America's strength and security. This OSC transaction supports that vision by building the resilient, capable domestic launch network required to safeguard our national security interests."
The Department noted that the conditional loan commitment specifies additional steps Rocket Lab must complete before financial close, including satisfying various financial, legal, technical, investment, due diligence, and other requirements. (Source: U.S. Department of War)
Source: U.S. Department of War
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Rocket Lab 的 HASTE 火箭自弗吉尼亚州 Wallops 飞行设施夜间发射（资料图）。NASA/Danielle Johnson 摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A Rocket Lab HASTE rocket launches at night from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia (file photo). NASA/Danielle Johnson, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
