- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB, Financial) selected by NASA to launch the Aspera mission to study galaxy evolution.
- The mission will use ultraviolet light to explore the intergalactic medium and the origins of stars and planets.
- Rocket Lab continues to bolster its reputation with several NASA missions, reinforcing its launch capabilities.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has been chosen by NASA to launch the groundbreaking Aspera mission. The mission aims to study the formation and evolution of galaxies and to unveil new insights into the workings of the universe. The Aspera spacecraft will be launched on Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1, with a scheduled launch no earlier than the first quarter of 2026.
Aspera will utilize a telescope to study ultraviolet light, focusing on the intergalactic medium — the hot gas between galaxies believed to play a role in the birth of stars and planets. This mission marks the first time NASA's astrophysics division will gather and map ultraviolet light signatures, with the potential to provide a deeper understanding of the origins of stars, planets, and life in the universe.
Rocket Lab, a pioneer in launch services and space systems, has an established track record of successful missions with NASA, including the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon, the TROPICS mission for hurricane monitoring, and the PREFIRE mission addressing climate change. The Aspera mission is part of NASA's Pioneers Program and was awarded under NASA's Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) program.
According to Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, Electron's reliable launch capabilities make it a premier choice for NASA's innovative science missions. With a market cap of $10.37 billion, Rocket Lab continues to expand its portfolio of successful space missions, cementing its position as a leader in the aerospace and defense sector.
