Rocket Lab Unveils Silicon Solar Arrays with $23.9M Funding, Reports 40% Q4 Growth
Rocket Lab introduced modular silicon solar arrays for gigawatt-scale space data centers, backed by a $23.9M CHIPS Act award for its New Mexico facility, while reporting Q4 sales growth of 40% to $602M and a $1.85B backlog. The company also completed two launches in six days, its fourth 2026 mission.
1. Introduction of Silicon Solar Arrays
Rocket Lab rolled out advanced silicon solar arrays designed to power gigawatt-scale data centers in orbit, leveraging mass-manufacturable, modular systems to deliver low-cost, scalable energy solutions using abundant space-based solar radiation and the naturally cold environment.
2. CHIPS Act Funding for New Mexico Facility
The company secured a $23.9 million award under the CHIPS and Science Act to expand semiconductor production at its Albuquerque facility, enabling the manufacture of radiation-hardened, flexible silicon modules and reducing dependence on geopolitically sensitive mineral supply chains.
3. Strong Q4 Results and Backlog Growth
In Q4 2025, Rocket Lab posted 40% revenue growth to $602 million and maintained a $1.85 billion order backlog, offsetting a Neutron rocket development delay to Q4 2026 and reflecting improving margins and sustained customer demand.
4. Accelerated Launch Cadence in 2026
Rocket Lab completed two Electron missions within six days—its fourth launch of 2026 and the program’s 83rd—deploying both commercial and defense payloads from New Zealand and Virginia, demonstrating rapid, multi-site operational capabilities.