US Space Force gives Rocket Lab $397 million to build threat-tracking 'Flatellites'

The U.S. Space Force announced a significant investment, awarding Rocket Lab a contract valued at $397 million for the development and production of “Flatellites.” These satellites are specifically engineered to identify and monitor potential aerial dangers utilizing observations from orbit. The project aims to bolster national security by providing early warning capabilities against adversarial aircraft or missile launches. Rocket Lab will be responsible for manufacturing an entire constellation of these threat-tracking satellites. This initiative represents a key component in the Space Force’s strategy for enhanced space domain awareness and defense.