Rocket Lab - 10-Q quarterly report FY2024 Q3

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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-39560

ROCKET LAB USA, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



Delaware	98-1550340
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)



3881 McGowen Street Long Beach, California	90808
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (714) 465-5737

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

RKLB

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐

Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐

		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of November 7, 2024, the registrant had 499,911,078 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding.

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q has been provided by us and our management, and such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future of Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (the “Company”) and its management team. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Rocket Lab. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described below and under the heading “Risk Factors.”

•

Our ability to effectively manage future growth and achieve operational efficiencies;

•

any inability of us to operate our Electron Launch Vehicle (“Electron”) at its anticipated launch rate, including due to any government action related to launch failure and our ability to operate, could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations;

•

our inability to develop our Neutron Launch Vehicle (“Neutron”) or significant delays in developing Neutron could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations;

•

our inability to utilize our launch pads at our private launch complex in Mahia, New Zealand or at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, at Wallops Island, Virginia with sufficient frequency to support our launch cadence and future related revenue growth expectations;

•

significant delays in the production or manufacturing of our Electron and Neutron launch vehicles or other spacecraft, space systems or space system components, or our spacecraft, space systems or space system components failing to operate as intended could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations;

•

changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which we operate, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting our business and changes in our capital structure;

•

changes in governmental policies, priorities, regulations, mandates or funding for programs in which we or our customers participate, which could negatively impact our business;

•

loss of, or default by, one or more of our key customers or inability of customers to fund contractual commitments, which could result in a decline in future revenues, cancellation of contracted launches or space systems orders or termination or default of existing agreements;

•

the inability to comply with, and costs associated with complying, any applicable regulations, and specifically, U.S. government contract regulations, which could result in loss of contract opportunities, contract modifications or termination, assessment of penalties and fines, and suspension or debarment from U.S. government contracting or subcontracting;

•

success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, officers, key employees or directors, and our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including Peter Beck, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman;

•

defects in or failure of our products to operate in the expected manner, including any launch failure, which could result in a loss of revenue, impact our business, prospects and profitability, increase our insurance rates and damage our reputation and ability to obtain future customers;

•

inability or failure to protect intellectual property;

•

disruptions in the supply of key raw materials or components used to produce our products or increases in prices of raw materials;

•

global inflation and interest rates;

•

impacts of the war in Ukraine or Israel;

•

fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;

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•

the ability to implement our business plans, forecasts and other expectations, including the integration of recently acquired businesses, and to identify and realize additional opportunities;

•

the risk of downturns in government and commercial launch services and spacecraft industries;

•

our ability to anticipate changes in the markets for rocket launch services, mission services, spacecraft and spacecraft components;

•

the inability to maintain effective internal controls;

•

the inability or failure to comply with contractual requirements or covenants;

•

the diversion of management’s attention and consumption of resources as a result of acquisitions of other companies and success in integrating and otherwise achieving the benefits of recent and potential acquisitions;

•

our inability to effectively integrate or benefit from recently purchased assets or businesses;

•

failure to maintain adequate operational and financial resources or raise additional capital or generate sufficient cash flows;

•

any significant disruption in or unauthorized access to our computer systems or those of third parties that we utilize in our operations, including those relating to cybersecurity or arising from cyber-attacks;

•

the effect of a pandemic on the foregoing, including potential delays in the timing of launches due to government lock-downs, including travel restrictions or other factors impacting travel; and

•

other factors detailed under the section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Risk Factors.”

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties may in the future be amplified by a global crises and/or any response to such a crisis and there may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents that we reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

You should also note that we may announce material business and financial information to our investors using our website (including at https://investors.rocketlabusa.com), filings with the SEC, webcasts, press releases, and conference calls. We use these mediums, as well as our official corporate accounts on social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, to broadcast our launches and other significant events, and to communicate with the public about our company, our products, and other matters. It is possible that the information that we make available may be deemed to be material information. We therefore encourage investors and others interested in our company to review the information that we make available on our website and through our other official social media channels. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website or our social media channels is not a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Quarterly Report to “Rocket Lab,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Rocket Lab USA, Inc. and our subsidiaries.

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ROCKET LAB U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2024

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		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	5
Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	7
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023	8
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	9
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	22
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	31
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	32
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION	32
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	32
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	32
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities	32
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	32
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	32
Item 5.	Other Information	32
Item 6.	Exhibits	33
Signatures		34

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ROCKET LAB U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023

(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share values)


	September 30, 2024
	(unaudited)			December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	292,470		$	162,518
Marketable securities, current		149,919			82,255
Accounts receivable, net		22,148			35,176
Contract assets		49,461			12,951
Inventories		114,435			107,857
Prepaids and other current assets		67,066			66,949
Assets held for sale		—			9,016
Total current assets		695,499			476,722
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net		170,983			145,409
Intangible assets, net		61,582			68,094
Goodwill		71,020			71,020
Right-of-use assets - operating leases		53,985			59,401
Right-of-use assets - finance leases		14,518			14,987
Marketable securities, non-current		61,292			79,247
Restricted cash		4,322			3,916
Deferred income tax assets, net		1,419			3,501
Other non-current assets		18,409			18,914
Total assets	$	1,153,029		$	941,211
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	$	42,434		$	29,303
Accrued expenses		8,063			5,590
Employee benefits payable		19,335			16,342
Contract liabilities		167,129			139,338
Current installments of long-term borrowings		11,758			17,764
Other current liabilities		20,480			15,036
Total current liabilities		269,199			223,373
Non-current liabilities:
Convertible senior notes, net		344,865			—
Long-term borrowings, net, excluding current installments		46,915			87,587
Non-current operating lease liabilities		51,906			56,099
Non-current finance lease liabilities		15,042			15,238
Deferred tax liabilities		726			426
Other non-current liabilities		4,541			3,944
Total liabilities		733,194			386,667
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 15)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized shares: 2,500,000,000; issued and outstanding shares: 499,700,976 and 488,923,055 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		50			49
Additional paid-in capital		1,178,828			1,176,484
Accumulated deficit		(761,356	)		(623,526	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		2,313			1,537
Total stockholders’ equity		419,835			554,544
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,153,029		$	941,211

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ROCKET LAB U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023

(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues	$	104,808		$	67,661		$	303,826		$	184,601
Cost of revenues		76,812			52,694			224,494			148,684
Gross profit		27,996			14,967			79,332			35,917
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net		47,723			26,626			126,139			81,566
Selling, general and administrative		32,172			27,200			91,445			84,386
Total operating expenses		79,895			53,826			217,584			165,952
Operating loss		(51,899	)		(38,859	)		(138,252	)		(130,035	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net		(454	)		(1,413	)		(2,176	)		(2,843	)
Loss on foreign exchange		(490	)		(120	)		(465	)		(76	)
Other income, net		1,848			1,176			3,152			3,519
Total other income (expense), net		904			(357	)		511			600
Loss before income taxes		(50,995	)		(39,216	)		(137,741	)		(129,435	)
Provision for income taxes		(944	)		(1,352	)		(89	)		(2,639	)
Net loss	$	(51,939	)	$	(40,568	)	$	(137,830	)	$	(132,074	)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)		2,026			(736	)		(43	)		(3,190	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale marketable securities		1,062			117			819			(329	)
Comprehensive loss	$	(48,851	)	$	(41,187	)	$	(137,054	)	$	(135,593	)
Net loss per share attributable to Rocket Lab USA, Inc.:
Basic and diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.28	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted		497,701,715			484,034,071			493,976,025			480,018,578

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ROCKET LAB U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023

(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)


	Common Stock				Additional Paid-In			Accumulated			Other Comprehensive
	Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Income (Loss)			Total
December 31, 2023		488,923,055	$	49	$	1,176,484		$	(623,526	)	$	1,537		$	554,544
Net loss		—		—		—			(44,260	)		—			(44,260	)
Issuance of common stock under equity plans		3,747,661		—		943			—			—			943
Stock-based compensation		—		—		14,225			—			—			14,225
Purchase of capped calls		—		—		(43,168	)		—			—			(43,168	)
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(3,338	)		(3,338	)
March 31, 2024		492,670,716		49		1,148,484			(667,786	)		(1,801	)		478,946
Net loss		—		—		—			(41,631	)		—			(41,631	)
Issuance of common stock under equity plans		3,639,159		1		2,844			—			—			2,845
Stock-based compensation		—		—		13,156			—			—			13,156
Issuance of common stock for acquisition		190,974		—		838			—			—			838
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			1,026			1,026
June 30, 2024		496,500,849		50		1,165,322			(709,417	)		(775	)		455,180
Net loss		—		—		—			(51,939	)		—			(51,939	)
Issuance of common stock under equity plans		3,200,127		—		915			—			—			915
Stock-based compensation		—		—		12,591			—			—			12,591
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			3,088			3,088
September 30, 2024		499,700,976	$	50	$	1,178,828		$	(761,356	)	$	2,313		$	419,835

	Common Stock				Additional Paid-In			Accumulated			Other Comprehensive
	Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Income (Loss)			Total
December 31, 2022		475,356,517	$	48	$	1,112,977		$	(440,955	)	$	1,136		$	673,206
Net loss		—		—		—			(45,617	)		—			(45,617	)
Issuance of common stock under equity plans		2,672,625		—		771			—			—			771
Stock-based compensation		—		—		12,228			—			—			12,228
Issuance of common stock for acquisition		123,933		—		—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(570	)		(570	)
March 31, 2023		478,153,075		48		1,125,976			(486,572	)		566			640,018
Net loss		—		—		—			(45,889	)		—			(45,889	)
Issuance of common stock under equity plans		4,326,466		—		3,561			—			—			3,561
Stock-based compensation		—		—		15,688			—			—			15,688
Issuance of common stock for acquisition		123,933		—		—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(2,330	)		(2,330	)
June 30, 2023		482,603,474		48		1,145,225			(532,461	)		(1,764	)		611,048
Net loss		—		—		—			(40,568	)		—			(40,568	)
Issuance of common stock under equity plans		2,816,037		1		485			—			—			486
Stock-based compensation		—		—		13,368			—			—			13,368
Issuance of common stock for acquisition		438,257		—		2,087			—			—			2,087
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(619	)		(619	)
September 30, 2023		485,857,768	$	49	$	1,161,165		$	(573,029	)	$	(2,383	)	$	585,802

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ROCKET LAB U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023

(unaudited; in thousands)


	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$	(137,830	)	$	(132,074	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		24,516			21,577
Stock-based compensation expense		39,944			43,398
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		(2,356	)		240
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt		1,330			—
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount		2,272			2,166
Noncash lease expense		4,437			4,062
Change in the fair value of contingent consideration		(218	)		1,138
Accretion of marketable securities purchased at a discount		(2,272	)		(3,399	)
Deferred income taxes		2,310			644
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		12,928			13,798
Contract assets		(36,510	)		(3,592	)
Inventories		(7,118	)		(10,933	)
Prepaids and other current assets		1,951			(15,819	)
Other non-current assets		544			(10,712	)
Trade payables		13,853			12,026
Accrued expenses		2,980			(2,187	)
Employee benefits payables		3,525			5,285
Contract liabilities		27,791			25,450
Other current liabilities		4,088			(4,632	)
Non-current lease liabilities		(4,321	)		(3,316	)
Other non-current liabilities		1,653			230
Net cash used in operating activities		(46,503	)		(56,650	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, equipment and software		(45,539	)		(44,293	)
Proceeds on disposal of assets, net		11,756			—
Cash paid for asset acquisition		—			(16,934	)
Purchases of marketable securities		(149,548	)		(207,266	)
Maturities of marketable securities		102,930			219,340
Net cash used in investing activities		(80,401	)		(49,153	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		2,074			2,293
Proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan		4,098			3,780
Proceeds from sale of employees restricted stock units to cover taxes		14,991			12,390
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units		(15,169	)		(12,352	)
Payment of contingent consideration		—			(1,000	)
Purchase of capped calls related to issuance of convertible senior notes		(43,168	)		—
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes		355,000			—
Repayments on Trinity Loan Agreement		(48,853	)		—
Payment of debt issuance costs		(12,205	)		—
Finance lease principal payments		(269	)		(248	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		256,499			4,863
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		763			(439	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		130,358			(101,379	)
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period		166,434			245,871
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	$	296,792		$	144,492
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	$	14,238		$	10,741
Cash paid for income taxes		480			574
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Unpaid purchases of property, equipment and software		2,146			2,207
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		—			979
Common stock issued in acquisition, at fair value		838			2,087
Issuance of common stock for payment of accrued bonus		1,795			—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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ROCKET LAB USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND FOR THE

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023

(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (“Rocket Lab” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success headquartered in Long Beach, California and is the parent company for several wholly owned operating subsidiaries located in the United States, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft design services, spacecraft components, spacecraft manufacturing and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. We operate one of the only private orbital launch ranges in the world, located in Mahia, New Zealand, enabling a unique degree of operational flexibility and control of customer launch manifests and mission assurance. While our business has historically been centered on the development of small-class launch vehicles and related sale of launch services, we are currently innovating in the areas of medium-class launch vehicles and launch services, space systems design and manufacturing, on-orbit management solutions, and space data applications.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principals of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the requirements of the SEC for interim financial information and include the accounts of Rocket Lab USA, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. As permitted under those rules, certain footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP can be condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial information. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, or for any other interim period or for any other future year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

On an ongoing basis, our management evaluates estimates and assumptions including those related to revenue recognition, contract costs, loss reserves, valuation of stock-based compensation and deferred tax valuation allowances. We based our estimates on historical data and experience, as well as various other factors that our management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Other Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no significant changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, except for the addition of accounting policies with respect to convertible senior notes and capped call transactions below. Refer to Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies disclosed in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024.

Convertible Senior Notes

The Company accounts for convertible senior notes under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC 470-20 - Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”). The Company records the convertible senior notes as a long-term liability at face value net of debt issuance costs. If any of the conditions to the convertibility of the convertible senior notes is satisfied, or the convertible senior notes become due within one year, then the Company may be required under applicable accounting standards to reclassify the carrying value of the convertible senior notes as a current, rather than a long-term liability.

Debt issuance costs related to the convertible senior notes were capitalized and recorded as a contra-liability and are presented net against the convertible senior notes balance on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Debt issuance costs consist of underwriting, legal and other direct costs related to the issuance of the convertible senior notes and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the convertible senior notes using the effective interest method.

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Capped Call Transactions

Capped call transactions cover the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that will initially underlie the convertible senior notes. The Company determined that the freestanding capped call option contracts qualify as equity under the accounting guidance on indexation and equity classification, and recognized the contract by recording an entry to “Additional paid-in capital” (“APIC”) in stockholders’ equity in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company also determined that the capped call option contracts meet the definition of a derivative under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), but are not required to be accounted for as a derivative as they meet the scope exception outlined in ASC 815. The capped call options are recorded in APIC and not remeasured.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 280”), which requires a public entity to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis and provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. ASU 280 requires a public entity to disclose the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker. ASU 280 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. A public entity should apply the amendments in ASU 280 retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 280 on its financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 740”), which focuses on the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU 740 requires a public business entity (“PBE”) to disclose, on an annual basis, a tabular rate reconciliation using both percentages and currency amounts, broken out into specified categories with certain reconciling items further broken out by nature and jurisdiction to the extent those items exceed a specified threshold. In addition, all entities are required to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds received disaggregated by federal, state/local, and foreign and by jurisdiction if the amount is at least 5% of total income tax payments, net of refunds received. For PBEs, the new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. An entity may apply the amendments in ASU 740 prospectively by providing the revised disclosures for the period ending December 31, 2025 and continuing to provide the pre-ASU 740 disclosures for the prior periods, or may apply the amendments retrospectively by providing the revised disclosures for all period presented. The Company is assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 740 on its financial statements.

In March 2024, the SEC adopted final rules requiring public entities to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. As part of the disclosures, entities will be required to quantify certain effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions in a note to their audited financial statements. The rules will be effective for large accelerated filers in annual periods beginning in calendar-year 2025. On April 4, 2024, the SEC voluntarily stayed implementation of the final rule to facilitate the orderly judicial resolution of pending legal challenges to the rule. The Company is assessing the effect of the new rules on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

REVENUES

The following table provides information about revenue by recognition model during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenues by recognition model	2024		2023		2024		2023
Point-in-time	$	44,535	$	30,226	$	134,497	$	94,558
Over-time		60,273		37,435		169,329		90,043
Total revenue by recognition model	$	104,808	$	67,661	$	303,826	$	184,601

The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (presented within contract assets) and customer advances and deposits (presented within contract liabilities) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, where applicable. Amounts are generally billed as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon milestones. These individual contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at the end of each reporting period.

The following table presents the balances related to enforceable contracts as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Contract balances
Accounts receivable, net	$	22,148		$	35,176
Contract assets		49,461			12,951
Contract liabilities		(167,129	)		(139,338	)

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Changes in contract liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were as follows:


Contract liabilities, at June 30, 2024	$	184,042
Customer advances received or billed		34,634
Recognition of unearned revenue		(51,547	)
Contract liabilities, at September 30, 2024	$	167,129

Changes in contract liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were as follows:


Contract liabilities, at December 31, 2023	$	139,338
Customer advances received or billed		169,617
Recognition of unearned revenue		(141,826	)
Contract liabilities, at September 30, 2024	$	167,129

The revenue recognized from the contract liabilities consisted of the Company satisfying performance obligations during the normal course of business.

The amount of revenue recognized from changes in the transaction price associated with performance obligations satisfied in prior years during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was not material.

Backlog

The Company’s backlog represents the estimated transaction prices on performance obligations to the Company’s customers for which work remains to be performed. The amount of backlog increases with new contracts or additions to existing contracts and decreases as revenue is recognized on existing contracts. Contracts are included in the amount of backlog when an enforceable agreement has been reached. Remaining backlog totaled $1,047,555 as of September 30, 2024, of which approximately 50% is expected to be recognized within 12 months, with the remaining 50% to be recognized beyond 12 months.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers

As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s customers that accounted for 10% or more of the total accounts receivable, net, were:


	September 30, 2024
Commercial customer A		18	%
Commercial customer B		11	%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company’s customers that accounted for 10% or more of the total revenue, were as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
MDA Corporation		25	%

Customer Financing

In connection with the signing of two separate multi-launch agreements with commercial customers, the Company entered into subordinated loan and security agreements. The commercial customers may choose to have certain milestone payments financed under the terms of the subordinated loan and security agreements. The receivables will bear no interest until the initial launch dates passes, after which interest will accrue at a fixed rate of 10.8% or 12.6%, respectively, based on the commercial customer. Principal and interest payments will be made over 12 quarterly payments from the launch date.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $5,600 customer financing receivable in prepaid and other currents assets and $12,467 customer financing receivable in other non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Customer financing interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $406 and $887, respectively.

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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities consisted of the following as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents	$	292,470	$	162,518
Marketable securities, current		149,919		82,255
Marketable securities, non-current		61,292		79,247
Total cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	503,681	$	324,020

As of September 30, 2024, cash equivalents and marketable securities consisted of the following:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cash Equivalents		Marketable Securities
Money market accounts	$	237,616	$	—	$	—		$	237,616	$	237,616	$	—
Certificates of deposit		26,181		37		—			26,218		—		26,218
Commercial paper		10,961		16		—			10,977		—		10,977
Corporate debt securities		85,683		366		(4	)		86,045		—		86,045
Yankee bonds		2,570		11		—			2,581		—		2,581
U.S. Treasury securities		62,098		12		(52	)		62,058		—		62,058
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities		23,176		156		—			23,332		—		23,332
Total	$	448,285	$	598	$	(56	)	$	448,827	$	237,616	$	211,211

The following table presents the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses by investment category and the length of time the marketable securities have been in a continuous loss position as of September 30, 2024:


	In Loss Position for Less than 12 Months					In Loss Position for Greater than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Corporate debt securities	$	5,264	$	(4	)	$	—	$	—		$	5,264	$	(4	)
U.S. Treasury securities		9,906		(6	)		45,529		(46	)		55,435		(52	)
Total	$	15,170	$	(10	)	$	45,529	$	(46	)	$	60,699	$	(56	)

The Company has not observed a significant deterioration in credit quality of these securities, which are highly rated with moderate to low credit risk. Declines in value are largely attributable to current global economic conditions. The securities continue to make timely principal and interest payments, and the fair values are expected to recover as they approach maturity. The Company does not intend to sell the securities, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities, before the respective recoveries of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had not recognized an allowance for credit losses on any marketable securities in an unrealized loss position.

The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2024:


	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due within one year	$	387,394	$	387,535
Due within one to two years		60,891		61,292
Total	$	448,285	$	448,827

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FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the following financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy as follows:


	September 30, 2024
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market accounts	$	237,616	$	—	$	—	$	237,616
Marketable securities, current:
Certificates of deposit		—		26,218		—		26,218
Commercial paper		—		10,977		—		10,977
Corporate debt securities		—		54,620		—		54,620
Yankee bonds		—		2,203		—		2,203
U.S. Treasury securities		55,434		—		—		55,434
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—		467		—		467
Marketable securities, non-current
Corporate debt securities		—		31,425		—		31,425
Yankee bonds		—		378		—		378
U.S. Treasury securities		6,624		—		—		6,624
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—		22,865		—		22,865
Total	$	299,674	$	149,153	$	—	$	448,827


	December 31, 2023
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market accounts	$	121,491	$	—	$	—	$	121,491
Marketable securities, current:
Certificates of deposit		—		24,590		—		24,590
Commercial paper		—		10,484		—		10,484
Corporate debt securities		—		41,871		—		41,871
Yankee bonds		—		2,676		—		2,676
U.S. Treasury securities		2,633		—		—		2,633
Marketable securities, non-current
Corporate debt securities		—		10,968		—		10,968
U.S. Treasury securities		54,900		—		—		54,900
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—		13,380		—		13,380
Total	$	179,024	$	103,969	$	—	$	282,993
Liabilities:
Other non-current liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—	$	1,056	$	1,056
Total	$	—	$	—	$	1,056	$	1,056

The estimated fair value amounts shown above are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company would realize upon disposition, nor do they indicate the Company’s intent or ability to dispose of the financial instrument.

There were no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Convertible Senior Notes

The Company measures the fair value of its convertible senior notes on a quarterly basis for disclosure purposes. The Company considers the fair value of its convertible senior notes as of September 30, 2024 to be a Level 2 measurement due to limited trading activity of the convertible senior notes. As of September 30, 2024, the net carrying amount of the convertible senior notes was $344,865, with unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $10,135. As of September 30, 2024, the total estimated fair value (Level 2) of the convertible senior notes was $742,827. The fair value was determined based on the closing trading price of the convertible senior notes as of the last day of trading for the period.

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INVENTORIES

Inventories as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following:


	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Raw materials	$	43,360	$	45,062
Work in process		65,193		53,628
Finished goods		5,882		9,167
Total inventories	$	114,435	$	107,857

PREPAIDS AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaids and other current assets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following:


	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Prepaid expenses and deposits	$	50,324	$	48,031
Government grant receivables		5,812		9,940
Customer financing receivables		5,600		3,733
Other current assets		5,330		5,245
Total prepaids and other current assets	$	67,066	$	66,949

ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

In the first quarter of 2023, the Company updated its Electron recovery strategy by completing a marine recovery, which we believe will be a more effective and financially viable type of recovery. As a result, the Company has ceased mid-air rocket booster recovery and began the sale process of two helicopters. As of March 31, 2023, the Company’s two helicopters met the held for sale criteria and the Company ceased depreciating these assets. On October 18, 2023, the Company sold one of the Company’s held for sale helicopters to a purchaser unaffiliated with the Company.

On June 6, 2024, the Company sold the remaining held for sale helicopter to a purchaser unaffiliated with the Company, for $12,030 before closing costs and holdbacks. The Company recognized a gain on sale of assets related to the sale of the helicopter and spare parts of $2,056 included in other income, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Property, plant and equipment, NET

Property, plant and equipment, net, as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following:


	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Buildings and improvements	$	67,757		$	59,730
Machinery, equipment, vehicles and office furniture		98,193			82,973
Computer equipment, hardware and software		15,446			11,624
Launch site assets		15,283			14,193
Construction in process		37,538			25,999
Property, plant and equipment—gross		234,217			194,519
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(63,234	)		(49,110	)
Property, plant and equipment—net	$	170,983		$	145,409

Depreciation expense recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Depreciation expense	2024		2023		2024		2023
Cost of revenues	$	2,443	$	2,084	$	8,109	$	6,374
Research and development		1,511		1,166		3,943		3,010
Selling, general and administrative		690		832		1,993		1,613
Total depreciation expense	$	4,644	$	4,082	$	14,045	$	10,997

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10.

Goodwill and Intangible assets, NET

Goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill for the Space Systems reportable segment was $71,020 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Intangible Assets

The components of intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:


	September 30, 2024
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Developed Technology	$	56,365	$	(21,795	)	$	34,570
Capitalized software		14,199		(9,619	)		4,580
Customer relationships		16,123		(4,187	)		11,936
Trademarks and tradenames		10,104		(2,408	)		7,696
Backlog		3,491		(3,491	)		—
Other		1,314		(514	)		800
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
In-process Technology		2,000		—			2,000
Total	$	103,596	$	(42,014	)	$	61,582


	December 31, 2023
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Developed Technology	$	56,065	$	(16,649	)	$	39,416
Capitalized software		11,690		(7,454	)		4,236
Customer relationships		16,135		(3,234	)		12,901
Trademarks and tradenames		10,106		(1,789	)		8,317
Backlog		3,491		(3,366	)		125
Other		1,222		(423	)		799
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
In-process Technology		2,300		—			2,300
Total	$	101,009	$	(32,915	)	$	68,094

Amortization expense recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively consisted of the following:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Cost of revenues	$	1,780	$	1,775	$	5,332	$	5,335
Research and development		13		13		36		79
Selling, general and administrative		1,204		1,462		3,720		4,395
Total amortization expense	$	2,997	$	3,250	$	9,088	$	9,809

The following table outlines the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets held as of September 30, 2024:


2024 (for the remaining period)	$	3,840
2025		9,950
2026		9,794
2027		8,792
2028		7,774
Thereafter		19,432
Total	$	59,582

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11.

LOAN AGREEMENTS

Indenture and Notes

On February 6, 2024, the Company issued $355,000 aggregate principal amount of its 4.250% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to, and are governed by, an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of February 6, 2024, between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Notes are the Company’s senior, unsecured obligations and are (i) equal in right of payment with the Company’s existing and future senior, unsecured indebtedness; (ii) senior in right of payment to the Company’s future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Notes in right of payment; (iii) effectively subordinated to the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness, including borrowings under its equipment financing agreement, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness; and (iv) structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent the Company is not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of the Company’s subsidiaries.

The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.250% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on August 1, 2024. The Notes mature on February 1, 2029, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. Before November 1, 2028, noteholders have the right to convert their Notes only during the following circumstances: (i) during any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter) if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for each of at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, (ii) during the five consecutive business day period after any 10 consecutive trading day period, or the measurement period, in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the applicable conversion rate on each such trading day, (iii) upon the occurrence of certain corporate events or distributions specified in the Indenture or (iv) if the Company calls such Notes for redemption. From and after November 1, 2028, noteholders may convert their Notes at any time at their election until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. The Company will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at the Company’s election. The initial conversion rate is 195.1029 shares of common stock per $1 principal amount of Notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $5.13 per share of common stock. The conversion rate and conversion price are subject to customary adjustments upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, if certain corporate events that constitute a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) occur, then the conversion rate will, in certain circumstances, be increased for a specified period of time. As of September 30, 2024, the Notes were not convertible at the option of the holder.

As of September 30, 2024, there was $355,000 outstanding under the Notes, before unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $10,135. As of September 30, 2024, the effective interest rate under the Notes was 5.0%.

Capped Call Transactions

In connection with the pricing of the Notes, on February 1, 2024 and February 2, 2024, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the “Capped Call Transactions”) with certain financial institutions. Collectively, the Capped Call Transactions cover, subject to customary adjustments, the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the Notes. The cost of the Capped Call Transactions was $43,168. The Capped Call Transactions are expected generally to reduce or offset the potential dilution to the Company’s common stock upon exercise of the Notes and/or the Company’s election to offset the cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of the Notes upon conversion of the Notes in the event that the market price per share of the Company’s common stock is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call Transactions (which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the Notes and is subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the Capped Call Transactions), with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap based on the cap price of the Capped Call Transactions. The Capped Call Transactions have an initial cap price of $8.04 per share of the Company’s common stock, which represents a premium of 100% over the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock on February 1, 2024.

The Capped Call Transactions do not meet the criteria for separate accounting as a derivative as they are indexed to the Company’s stock. The premiums paid for the Capped Call Transactions have been included as a net reduction to additional paid-in capital within shareholders’ equity.

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Trinity Master Equipment Financing Agreement

On December 29, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), entered into a Master Equipment Financing Agreement (the “Trinity Loan Agreement”) with Trinity Capital, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Lender”) to provide financing for certain equipment and other property (the “Equipment”). The Trinity Loan Agreement provides that the Lender shall provide equipment financing in the aggregate of up to $120,000 (the “Conditional Commitment”), with advances (“Draws”) to be made as follows: (i) $70,000 on the Effective Date (the “Effective Date Draw”); and (ii) $40,000 to be drawn on the Effective Date (the “Blanket Lien Draw”), with each of the Effective Date Draw and Blanket Lien Draw payable over sixty (60) months beginning January 2024, with the final payments due in January 2029. After the Blanket Lien Draw is repaid in full, Borrowers may make Draws as follows: (x) $30,000 to be drawn in not more than three advances of at least $10,000 each at the Borrowers’ option no later than the date that is 18 months after the Effective Date; and (y) $20,000 to be drawn at Borrower’s option between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 (such date, the “Termination Date”), subject to customary conditions.

The Company repaid an existing term loan with the proceeds from the Trinity Loan Agreement and Blanket Lien Draw. The monthly payment factors under the Trinity Loan Agreement and Blanket Lien Draw have a term of sixty (60) months and a rate factor of 0.022266. In connection with the Trinity Loan Agreement, the Company issued warrants to Lender to acquire 728,835 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.87 per share (see Note 12).

On February 8, 2024, the Company paid off all obligations under the Blanket Lien Draw in the amount of $38,778, which includes principal, unpaid interest and legal fees, resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1,330 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

As of September 30, 2024, there was $61,152 outstanding under the Trinity Loan Agreement, before unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $2,479, of which $11,758 is classified as current installments of long-term borrowings in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, with the remainder classified as long-term borrowings, net, excluding current installments. As of September 30, 2024, the effective interest rate under the Trinity Loan Agreement was 14.9%. The Company is required to pay an end of term charge of $700 upon repayment of the Effective Date Draw.

The future principal payments under the Trinity Loan Agreement as of September 30, 2024 were as follows:


2024 (for the remaining period)	$	2,871
2025		12,045
2026		13,652
2027		15,474
2028		17,110
Total	$	61,152

12.

WARRANTS

Equity Classified Common Stock Warrants

In connection with the Trinity Loan Agreement, the Company also issued to Lender a warrant (“Warrant”), dated December 29, 2023, to purchase up to 728,835 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price of $4.87 per share, payable in cash or on a cashless basis according to the formula set forth in the Warrant. The exercise price of the Warrant and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant are subject to adjustments for stock splits, combinations, stock dividends or similar events. The Warrant is exercisable until December 29, 2027. The Warrant also provides for an automatic cashless exercise upon expiration if the value of one share of the Company’s common stock is greater than the exercise price of the warrant.

The warrants were classified as equity in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, as the agreements provide for the settlement of the instruments in shares of common stock. The proceeds from the Trinity Loan Agreement were allocated to the loan and warrants based on the relative fair value at inception, resulting in a reduction to the loan amount and amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan. The warrants are recognized as additional paid-in capital, a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets.

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13.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity Incentive Plans

The Company has a single active equity incentive plan, the Rocket Lab 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), with the objective of attracting and retaining available employees and directors by providing stock-based and other performance-based compensation. The 2021 Plan provides for the grant of equity awards to officers, employees, directors and other key employees as well as service providers which include incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, restricted stock units or any combination of the foregoing any of which may be performance based, as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee. An aggregate of 59,875,000 shares were initially reserved for the issuance of awards under the 2021 Plan. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan automatically increases each January 1, beginning on January 1, 2022, by 5% of the outstanding number of shares of common stock on the immediately preceding December 31, or such lesser amount as determined by the plan administrator. The Company was authorized to issue up to 115,888,766 shares of common stock as equity awards to participants under the 2021 Plan as of September 30, 2024. There were 92,990,555 shares of common stock available for grant as of September 30, 2024.

The Rocket Lab 2013 Stock Option and Grant Plan (the “2013 Plan”) was terminated, and accordingly, no shares are available for future issuance under the 2013 Plan following the closing of the Company’s business combination with Vector Acquisition Corporation in 2021. The 2013 Plan will continue to govern outstanding awards granted thereunder.

Total stock-based compensation recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Stock-based compensation	2024		2023		2024		2023
Cost of revenues	$	3,029	$	3,182	$	10,205	$	10,325
Research and development		4,626		6,219		13,660		17,893
Selling, general and administrative		5,241		4,697		16,079		15,180
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	12,896	$	14,098	$	39,944	$	43,398

Options

Options issued to all optionees under the 2013 Plan vest over four years from the date of issuance (or earlier vesting start date, as determined by the board of directors) as follows: 25% on the first anniversary of date of grant and the remaining vest monthly over the remaining vesting term. All options had vested as of September 30, 2024.

Restricted Stock Units

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company granted 16,677,693 and 10,196,987 restricted stock units, respectively, to certain key employees pursuant to the 2021 Plan. The time-based service vesting condition is generally satisfied over periods of approximately four years as the employees provide service.

As of September 30, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested performance-based restricted stock units granted under the 2013 Plan and 2021 Plan was $115,008 and will be recognized upon vesting.

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In August 2021, the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2021 ESPP”) was approved to reserve 9,980,000 shares of common stock for issuance for awards in accordance with the terms of the 2021 ESPP. In addition, the number of shares reserved for issuance will ultimately increase on January 1 of each year from 2022 to 2031 by the lesser of (i) 9,980,000 shares of common stock, (ii) 1% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the immediately preceding December 31 or (iii) the number of common stock shares as determined by the Company’s board of directors. The purpose of the 2021 ESPP is to enable eligible employees to use payroll deductions to purchase shares of common stock and thereby acquire an interest in the Company. Eligible employees are offered shares through a 12-month offering period, which consists of two consecutive 6-month purchase periods. Employees may purchase a limited amount of shares of our stock at a discount of up to 15% of the lesser of the fair market value at the beginning of the offering period or the end of each 6-month purchase period.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, 728,183 shares and 681,018 shares of common stock were issued under the 2021 ESPP, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, 20,928,834 shares remain available for issuance under the 2021 ESPP. Total ESPP stock-based compensation recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $409 and $2,069, respectively. Total ESPP stock-based compensation recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $423 and $1,819, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to the 2021 ESPP was $378 and will be recognized over the remaining offering period.

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14.

LEASES

The Company has operating and finance leases for properties, vehicles and equipment. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of less than one year to twenty-six years, some of which include options to extend the lease term, and some of which include options to terminate the lease prior to the end of the agreed upon lease term. For purposes of calculating lease liabilities, lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such options.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s lease portfolio since December 31, 2023.

15.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and Claims

The Company is, and from time to time may be, a party to claims and legal proceedings generally incidental to its business that are principally covered under contracts with its customers and insurance policies. In the opinion of management, there are no legal matters or claims likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other Commitments

The Company has commitments under its lease obligations (see Note 14).

Contingencies

The Company records a contingent liability when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If these estimates and assumptions change or prove to be incorrect, it could have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Contingencies are inherently unpredictable, and the assessments of the value can involve a series of complex judgments about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions.

In connection with the acquisition of SolAero Holdings, Inc. in January 2022, the Company assumed a contract with a customer to provide solar panel module at a fixed price. The Company determined that it was probable that the costs to complete the solar panel modules as stipulated by the contract would exceed the fixed firm price of the solar panel modules.

The provision for contract losses outstanding as of September 30, 2024, which primarily is related to the solar panel module agreement, was $6,696 included in other current liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

16.

INCOME TAXES

Income tax provision and the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Provision for income taxes	$	(944	)	$	(1,352	)	$	(89	)	$	(2,639	)
Effective tax rate		(1.9	)%		(3.4	)%		(0.1	)%		(2.0	)%

The tax provisions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were computed using the estimated effective tax rates projected to be applicable for domestic and international taxable jurisdictions for the full year as adjusted for discrete items arising during each quarter.

The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to a full valuation allowance against our US deferred tax assets, as well as the impact of discrete items that may occur in any given year but which are not consistent from year-to-year.

The Company is not currently under examination by the IRS, state and local, or foreign tax authorities. Due to its net operating loss carryforwards, the Company remains subject to examination for U.S. federal and state jurisdictions for all years beginning with the year ended March 31, 2016. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries are generally subject to examination within four years from the end of the tax year during which the tax return was filed.

In April 2024, the Company effectively settled its uncertain tax position relating to its New Zealand subsidiary and recognized a benefit of $1,895 as part of the income tax provision booked during the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The Company does not anticipate significant changes to occur to its uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months.

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17.

NET LOSS PER SHARE

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.

The holder of each share of common stock has the right to one vote for each share and is entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting and to vote upon certain events.

Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding for the period using the treasury-stock method or the if-converted method, whichever is more dilutive. Potentially dilutive shares are comprised of restricted stock units and stock options. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there is no difference in the number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted shares outstanding due to the Company’s net loss and potentially dilutive shares being anti-dilutive.

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders-basic and diluted	$	(51,939	)	$	(40,568	)	$	(137,830	)	$	(132,074	)
Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic and diluted		497,701,715			484,034,071			493,976,025			480,018,578
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders-basic and diluted	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.28	)

The following equity shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:


	September 30,
	2024		2023
Stock options and restricted stock units		31,518,080		29,014,807
Common stock warrants		728,835		—
Shares underlying our convertible senior notes		69,261,530		—

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18.

SEGMENTS

The Company reports segment information based on the “management” approach. The management approach designates the internal reporting used by management for making decisions and assessing performance as the source of the Company’s reportable segments. The Company manages its business primarily based upon two operating segments, Launch Services and Space Systems. Each of these operating segments represents a reportable segment. Launch Services provides launch and launch related services to customers on a dedicated mission or ride share basis. Space Systems is comprised of spacecraft engineering and design services, spacecraft components, spacecraft manufacturing and on-orbit mission operations. Although many of the Company’s contracts with customers contain elements of Space Systems and Launch Services, each reporting segment is managed separately to better align with customer’s needs and the Company’s growth plans. The chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based on gross profit. For contracts with customers that contain both Space Systems and Launch Services elements, revenues for each reporting segment are generally allocated based upon the overall costs incurred for each of the reporting segments in comparison to total overall costs of the contract. The following table shows information by reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2024				2023
	Launch Services		Space Systems		Launch Services		Space Systems
Revenues	$	20,950	$	83,858	$	21,316	$	46,345
Cost of revenues		14,988		61,824		15,531		37,163
Gross profit	$	5,962	$	22,034	$	5,785	$	9,182


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024				2023
	Launch Services		Space Systems		Launch Services		Space Systems
Revenues	$	83,026	$	220,800	$	63,432	$	121,169
Cost of revenues		60,886		163,608		53,364		95,320
Gross profit	$	22,140	$	57,192	$	10,068	$	25,849

Management does not regularly review either reporting segment’s total assets or operating expenses. This is because in general, the Company’s long-lived assets, facilities, and equipment are shared by each reporting segment.

19.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there are no amounts due to or from related parties.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our condensed consolidated results of operations and financial condition. You should read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. For additional context with which to understand our financial condition and results of operations, see the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained therein as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and related notes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024. Certain amounts may not foot due to rounding. Certain information in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described under the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Overview

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft design services, spacecraft components, spacecraft manufacturing and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space.

While our business has historically been centered on the development of small-class launch vehicles and the related sale of launch services, we are currently innovating in the areas of medium-class launch vehicles and launch services, space systems design and manufacturing, on-orbit management solutions, and space data applications. Each of these initiatives addresses a critical component of the end-to-end solution and our value proposition for the space economy:

•

Launch Services is the design, manufacture, and launch of orbital rockets to deploy payloads to various Earth orbits and interplanetary destinations.

•

Space Systems is the design and manufacture of spacecraft components and spacecraft program management services, space data applications and mission operations.

Electron is our orbital small launch vehicle that was designed from the ground up to accommodate a high launch rate business model to meet the growing and dynamic needs of our customers for small launch services. Since its maiden launch in 2017, Electron has become the leading small spacecraft launch vehicle delivering 197 spacecraft to orbit for government and commercial customers across 49 successful missions through September 30, 2024. In 2023, Electron was the second most frequently orbital launched rocket by companies operating in the United States and maintained Rocket Lab as the fourth most frequent orbital launcher globally. Our launch services program has seen us develop many industry-leading innovations, including 3D printed electric turbo-pump rocket engines, fully carbon composite first stage fuel tanks, a private orbital launch complex, a rocket stage that can be configured to convert into a highly capable spacecraft on orbit, and the potential ability to successfully recover a stage from space, providing a path to reusability.

In March 2021, we announced plans to develop our reusable-ready medium-capacity Neutron launch vehicle which will increase the payload capacity of our space launch vehicles to approximately 15,000 kg for expendable launches to low Earth orbit and lighter payloads for reusable configurations and into higher orbits. Neutron will be tailored for commercial and U.S. government constellation launches and ultimately configurable for and capable of human space flight, enabling us to provide crew and cargo resupply to the International Space Station. Neutron will also provide a dedicated service to orbit for larger civil, defense and commercial payloads that need a high level of schedule control and high-flight cadence. Neutron is expected to have the capability of launching nearly all of the spacecraft configurations that we expect to be launched through 2029 and we expect to be able to leverage Electron’s flight heritage across various vehicle subsystems designs, launch complexes and ground station infrastructure.

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Our space systems initiatives are supported by the design and manufacture of our family of advanced configurable spacecraft along with a range of components, software and services for spacecraft, including reaction wheels, star trackers, radios, separation systems, solar solutions, command and control spacecraft software, high voltage space grade battery solutions, and additional products in development to serve a wide variety of sub-system functions. We entered this market with our acquisition of leading spacecraft components manufacturer Sinclair Interplanetary, and have since expanded our market participation with the acquisitions of Planetary Systems Corporation, SolAero Holdings, Inc. and aerospace software firm Advanced Solutions, Inc. Each of these strategic acquisitions brought incremental vertically-integrated capabilities for our own family of advanced configurable spacecraft and also enabled Rocket Lab to deliver high-volume manufacturing of critical spacecraft components and software solutions at scale prices to the broader spacecraft merchant market. The family of advanced configurable spacecraft, which are configurable for a range of low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit and interplanetary missions enable us to offer an end-to-end mission solution encompassing launch, full spacecraft manufacturing, ground services and mission operations to provide customers with streamlined access to orbit with Rocket Lab as a single mission partner.

Recent Developments

Neutron Update

We have made significant progress across Neutron’s structures and infrastructure, including the completion of construction on the rocket’s Assembly, Integration, and Test (A.I.T.) facility in Virginia. We have doubled engine testing cadence for Archimedes over the quarter at Rocket Lab’s engine test site in Mississippi, alongside strong production execution at our Engine Development Complex in California which included multiple engines manufactured, assembled, and shipped for engine testing. We signed a launch service agreement for two dedicated Neutron launches with a confidential commercial satellite constellation customer.

Key Metrics and Select Financial Data

We monitor the following key financial and operational metrics that assist us in evaluating our business, measuring our performance, identifying trends and making strategic decisions.

Launch Vehicle Build-Rate and Launch Cadence

We built approximately eight launch vehicles 2021, approximately 12 launch vehicles in 2022 and approximately 11 launch vehicles in 2023. We built approximately 10 launch vehicles through the nine months ended September 30, 2024. We launched six vehicles in 2021, nine vehicles in 2022 and ten vehicles in 2023. We have launched 11 vehicles through the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and launched 12 vehicles through November 12, 2024. Growth rates between launches and total launch service revenue are not perfectly correlated because our total revenue is affected by other variables, such as the revenue per launch, which can vary considerably based on factors such as unique orbit and insertion requirements, payload handling needs, launch location, time sensitivity of mission completion and other factors. We believe that the growth in our build rate and launch rate is a positive indicator of our ability to scale our launch operations.

Revenue Growth

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

We generated $104.8 million and $67.7 million in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing a year-on-year increase in revenue of approximately 55%. This year-on-year increase primarily resulted from space systems revenue growth of $37.5 million, offset by a decrease in launch revenue of $0.4 million due to a lower revenue per launch.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

We generated $303.8 million and $184.6 million in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing a year-on-year increase in revenue of approximately 65%. This year-on-year increase primarily resulted from space systems revenue growth of $99.6 million and launch revenue growth of $19.6 million due to a higher launch cadence with 11 launch missions completed in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus nine launch missions completed in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and higher revenue value per launch.

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Revenue and Cost Value Per Launch

Revenue and cost value per launch represents the average revenue and cost per launch contract attributable to launches that occurred during a period. Revenue and cost value per launch can be a useful metric to provide insight into general competitiveness and price sensitivity in the marketplace. Revenue and cost value per launch can vary considerably, based on factors such as unique orbit and insertion requirements, payload handling needs, launch location, time sensitivity of mission completion and other factors, and as such may not provide absolute clarity with regards to pricing and competitive dynamics in the marketplace.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

In the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, our revenue value per launch was $7.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively. Meanwhile, cost per launch for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $5.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, our revenue value per launch was $7.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively. Meanwhile, cost per launch was $5.5 million and $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, excluding a $2.1 million benefit from non-recurring employee retention credit to Launch Services cost of revenue and a $4.1 million benefit from non-recurring reversal of provision made for contract losses that were credited to Launch Services cost of revenue in the in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Backlog

Backlog represents future revenues that we would recognize in connection with the completion of all contracts and purchase orders that have been entered into by our customers but have not yet been fulfilled, excluding any customer options for future products or services that have not yet been exercised. Contracts for launch services and spacecraft builds typically include termination rights that may be exercised by customers upon advanced notice and payment of a specified termination fee. Our backlog increased from $1,046.1 million as of December 31, 2023 to $1,047.6 million as of September 30, 2024, of which $326.4 million is related to Launch Services and $721.2 million is related to Space Systems. The increase was primarily a result of bookings during the period, partially offset by recognizing revenue on contracts during the period.

Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

Ability to sell additional launch services, space systems service and spacecraft components to new and existing customers

Our results will be impacted by our ability to sell our launch services, space systems services, and spacecraft components to new and existing customers. We have successfully launched Electron 49 times delivering 197 spacecraft to orbit, including one suborbital launch, through September 30, 2024. We have flight hardware and spacecraft that have flown on over 1,700 missions, including legacy missions enabled by Sinclair Interplanetary (acquired April 2020), Advanced Space Solutions, Inc (acquired October 2021), Planetary Space Corporation (acquired November 2021) and SolAero Technologies (acquired January 2022). Our growth opportunity is dependent on our ability to expand our addressable launch services market with larger volumetric and higher mass payload capabilities of our in-development medium-capacity Neutron launch vehicle, which will address large commercial and government constellation launch opportunities. Our growth opportunity is also dependent on our ability to win spacecraft constellation missions and expand our portfolio of strategic spacecraft components. Our ability to sell additional products to existing customers is a key part of our success, as follow-on purchases indicate customer satisfaction and decrease the likelihood of competitive substitution. To sell additional products and services to new and existing customers, we will need to continue to invest significant resources in our products and services.

Ability to improve profit margins and scale our business

We intend to continue to invest in initiatives to improve our operating leverage and significantly ramp production. We believe continued reduction in costs and an increase in production volumes will enable the cost of launch vehicles to decline and improve our gross margins. Our ability to achieve our production-efficiency objectives could be negatively impacted by a variety of factors including, among other things, lower-than-expected facility utilization rates, manufacturing and production cost overruns, increased purchased material costs and unexpected supply-chain quality issues or interruptions.

Government expenditures and private enterprise investment into the space economy

Government expenditures and private enterprise investment has fueled the growth in our target markets. We expect the continued availability of government expenditures and private investment for our customers to help fund purchases of our products and services will remain. This is an important factor in our company’s growth prospects.

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Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

Our revenues are derived from a combination of long-term fixed price contracts for launch services and spacecraft builds, and purchase order based spacecraft components sales. Revenues from long-term contracts are recognized using either the “point-in-time” or “over-time” method of revenue recognition. Point-in-time revenue recognition results in cash payments being initially accrued to the balance sheet as deferred revenue as contractual milestones are accomplished and then recognized as revenue once the final contractual obligation is completed. Over-time revenue recognition is based on an input measure of progress based on costs incurred compared to estimated total costs at completion. Each project has a contractual revenue value and an estimated cost. The over-time revenue is recognized based on the percentage of the total project cost that has been realized.

Estimating future revenues and associated costs and profit is a process requiring a high degree of management judgment, including management’s assumptions regarding our future operational performance as well as general economic conditions. Frequently, the period of performance of a contract extends over a long period of time and, as such, revenue recognition and our profitability from a particular contract may be affected to the extent that estimated costs to complete are revised, delivery schedules are delayed, performance-based milestones are not achieved or progress under a contract is otherwise impeded. Accordingly, our recorded revenues and operating profit from period to period can fluctuate significantly depending on when the point-in-time or over-time contractual obligations are achieved. In the event cost estimates indicate a loss on a contract, the total amount of such loss is recorded in the period in which the loss is first estimated.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists primarily of direct material and labor costs, manufacturing overhead, other personnel-related expenses, which include salaries, bonuses, benefits and stock-based compensation expense, reserves for estimated warranty costs, freight expense and depreciation expense. Cost of revenues also includes charges to write-down the carrying value of inventory when it exceeds its estimated net realizable value, including on-hand inventory that is either obsolete or in excess of forecasted demand. We expect our cost of revenues to increase in absolute dollars in future periods as we sell more launch services and space systems solutions. As we grow into our current capacity and execute on cost-reduction initiatives, we expect our cost of revenues as a percentage of revenue to decrease over time.

Because direct labor costs and manufacturing overhead comprise a significant portion of cost of revenues, increasing our production rate resulting in greater absorption of these costs is our most critical cost reduction initiative. Increasing our production rate is a cross-functional effort involving sales and business development, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain and finance.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses consist of research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses.

Research and Development, net

Research and development expense consists primarily of personnel-related expenses, consulting and contractor expenses, design software licenses, validation and testing expense, prototype parts and materials, facilities and depreciation expense. We intend to continue to make significant investments in developing new products and enhancing existing products, including but not limited to our medium capacity Neutron launch vehicle, Electron’s first stage recovery, and family of advanced configurable spacecraft features and capabilities, as well as expanding our portfolio of spacecraft components and subsystems. Research and development expense will be variable relative to the number of products that are in development, validation or testing. However, we expect it to decline as a percentage of total revenue over time.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses for our sales, marketing, supply chain, finance, legal, human resources and administrative personnel, as well as the costs of customer service, information technology, risk management and related insurance, travel, allocated overhead and other marketing, communications and administrative expenses. We also expect to further invest in our corporate infrastructure and incur additional expenses associated with operating as a public company, including increased legal and accounting costs and compliance costs. As a result, we expect that selling, general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars in future periods but decline as a percentage of total revenue over time.

Interest Income (Expense), Net

Interest income (expense), net consists primarily of interest expense incurred on debt and interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments balances and marketable securities.

Gain (Loss) on Foreign Exchange

Gain (loss) on foreign exchange relates to currency fluctuations that generate foreign exchange gains or losses on invoices denominated in currencies other than the United States (“U.S.”) Dollar.

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations information and data as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages):


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2024						2023
	$			%			$			%
Revenues	$	104,808			100.0	%	$	67,661			100.0	%
Cost of revenues		76,812			73.3	%		52,694			77.9	%
Gross profit		27,996			26.7	%		14,967			22.1	%
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net		47,723			45.5	%		26,626			39.4	%
Selling, general and administrative		32,172			30.7	%		27,200			40.2	%
Total operating expenses		79,895			76.2	%		53,826			79.6	%
Operating loss		(51,899	)		(49.5	)%		(38,859	)		(57.5	)%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net		(454	)		(0.4	)%		(1,413	)		(2.1	)%
Loss on foreign exchange		(490	)		(0.5	)%		(120	)		(0.2	)%
Other income, net		1,848			1.8	%		1,176			1.7	%
Total other income (expense), net		904			0.9	%		(357	)		(0.6	)%
Loss before income taxes		(50,995	)		(48.6	)%		(39,216	)		(58.1	)%
Provision for income taxes		(944	)		(0.9	)%		(1,352	)		(2.0	)%
Net loss	$	(51,939	)		(49.5	)%	$	(40,568	)		(60.1	)%

Revenues


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Revenues	$	104,808	$	67,661	$	37,147		55	%

Revenue increased by $37.1 million, or 55%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. Space systems revenue was $83.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $37.5 million, or 81%, primarily due to spacecraft manufacturing growth. Launch Services revenue was $21.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 2%, primarily due to a lower revenue per launch in the three months ended September 30, 2024 versus the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Cost of Revenues


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Cost of revenues	$	76,812	$	52,694	$	24,118		46	%

Cost of revenues increased by $24.1 million, or 46%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. Space systems cost of revenue was $61.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $24.7 million, or 66%, primarily due to spacecraft manufacturing growth. Launch Services cost of revenues was $15.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 3%, primarily due to a lower cost per launch.

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Research and Development, Net


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Research and development, net	$	47,723	$	26,626	$	21,097		79	%

Research and development expense increased by $21.1 million, or 79%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to Neutron development progress, increased staff cost as a result of hiring and prototype spend focused on expanding our spacecraft and spacecraft components product portfolio.

Selling, General and Administrative


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Selling, general and administrative	$	32,172	$	27,200	$	4,972		18	%

Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $5.0 million, or 18%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to increased staff and staff related expenses to support revenue growth.

Interest Expense, Net


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024			2023			$ Change		% Change
Interest expense, net	$	(454	)	$	(1,413	)	$	959		(68	)%

Interest expense, net of interest income decreased by $1.0 million, or 68%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase of interest income from increased money market account balances and decreased interest expense on secured borrowings, partially offset by interest expense incurred on senior convertible notes.

Loss on Foreign Exchange


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024			2023			$ Change			% Change
Loss on foreign exchange	$	(490	)	$	(120	)	$	(370	)		308	%

Loss on foreign exchange increased by $0.4 million, or 308%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to fluctuations on the foreign exchange rates of the New Zealand Dollar and Canadian Dollar as compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Other Income, Net


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Other income, net	$	1,848	$	1,176	$	672		57	%

Other income increased by $0.7 million, or 57%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a $1.2 million gain on disposal of assets.

Provision for Income Taxes


	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024			2023			$ Change		% Change
Provision for income taxes	$	(944	)	$	(1,352	)	$	408		(30	)%

We recorded income tax expense of $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and income tax expense of $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rate was (1.9)% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to (3.4)% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets, as well as the impact of discrete items that may occur in any given year but which are not consistent from year-to-year.

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Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations information and data as a percentage of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except percentages):


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024						2023
	$			%			$			%
Revenues	$	303,826			100.0	%	$	184,601			100.0	%
Cost of revenues		224,494			73.9	%		148,684			80.5	%
Gross profit		79,332			26.1	%		35,917			19.5	%
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net		126,139			41.5	%		81,566			44.2	%
Selling, general and administrative		91,445			30.1	%		84,386			45.7	%
Total operating expenses		217,584			71.6	%		165,952			89.9	%
Operating loss		(138,252	)		(45.5	)%		(130,035	)		(70.4	)%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net		(2,176	)		(0.7	)%		(2,843	)		(1.5	)%
Loss on foreign exchange		(465	)		(0.2	)%		(76	)		0.0	%
Other income, net		3,152			1.0	%		3,519			1.9	%
Total other income, net		511			0.1	%		600			0.4	%
Loss before income taxes		(137,741	)		(45.4	)%		(129,435	)		(70.0	)%
Provision for income taxes		(89	)		—			(2,639	)		(1.4	)%
Net loss	$	(137,830	)		(45.4	)%	$	(132,074	)		(71.4	)%

Revenues


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Revenues	$	303,826	$	184,601	$	119,225		65	%

Revenue increased by $119.2 million, or 65%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Space systems revenue was $220.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $99.6 million, or 82%, primarily due to spacecraft manufacturing growth. Launch Services revenue was $83.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $19.6 million, or 31%, primarily due to a higher launch cadence with 11 launch missions completed in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus nine launch missions completed in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and higher revenue value per launch.

Cost of Revenues


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Cost of revenues	$	224,494	$	148,684	$	75,810		51	%

Cost of revenues increased by $75.8 million, or 51%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Space systems cost of revenue was $163.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $68.3 million, or 72%, primarily due to spacecraft manufacturing growth. Launch Services cost of revenues was $60.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $7.5 million, or 14%, primarily due to the higher launch cadence referenced above. Cost of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 decreased to 74% of total revenue as compared to 81% during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Research and Development, Net


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Research and development, net	$	126,139	$	81,566	$	44,573		55	%

Research and development expense increased by $44.6 million, or 55%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to Neutron development progress, increased staff cost as a result of hiring and prototype spend focused on expanding our spacecraft and spacecraft components product portfolio.

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Selling, General and Administrative


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change		% Change
Selling, general and administrative	$	91,445	$	84,386	$	7,059		8	%

Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $7.1 million, or 8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to increased staff and staff related expenses to support revenue growth.

Interest Expense, Net


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024			2023			$ Change		% Change
Interest expense, net	$	(2,176	)	$	(2,843	)	$	667		(23	)%

Interest expense, net of interest income decreased by $0.7 million, or 23%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase of interest income from increased money market account balances and decreased interest expense on secured borrowings, partially offset by interest expense incurred on senior convertible notes.

Loss on Foreign Exchange


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024			2023			$ Change			% Change
Loss on foreign exchange	$	(465	)	$	(76	)	$	(389	)		512	%

Loss on foreign exchange increased by $0.4 million, or 512%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to fluctuations on the foreign exchange rates of the New Zealand Dollar and Canadian Dollar as compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Other Income, Net


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024		2023		$ Change			% Change
Other income, net	$	3,152	$	3,519	$	(367	)		(10	)%

Other income decreased by $0.4 million, or 10%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a loss on extinguishment of $1.3 million and a decrease in accretion of marketable securities purchased at a discount, partially offset by a $2.4 million gain on disposal of assets.

Provision for Income Taxes


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2024			2023			$ Change		% Change
Provision for income taxes	$	(89	)	$	(2,639	)	$	2,550		(97	)%

We recorded income tax expense of $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and income tax expense of $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rate was (0.1)% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to (2.0)% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due primarily to a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets, as well as the impact of discrete items that may occur in any given year but which are not consistent from year-to-year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since inception, we have funded our operations with proceeds from sales of our capital stock, convertible senior notes, term note debt, research and development grant proceeds, and cash flows from the sale of our products and services. As of September 30, 2024, we had $292.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $211.2 million of marketable securities. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital are for investment in new products and technologies, the expansion of existing manufacturing facilities, working capital, debt service, acquisitions of complementary businesses, products or technologies and general corporate needs.

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and payments from customers will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs for at least the next twelve months, although we may choose to take advantage of opportunistic capital raising or refinancing transactions at any time. We will continue to invest in increasing production and expanding our product offerings through acquisitions.

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Material Cash Requirements

As of September 30, 2024, we had outstanding $416.2 million in aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under our convertible senior notes and equipment financing agreement, of which $11.8 million was scheduled to become due in the following twelve months. As of September 30, 2024, our total minimum lease payments was $103.0 million, of which $10.6 million is due in the following twelve months. For details regarding our indebtedness and lease obligations at September 30, 2024, refer to Note 11, Loan Agreements, and Note 14, Leases, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Our capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $45.5 million. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our launch cadence, traction in the market with our space systems offerings, the expansion of sales and marketing activities, the timing and extent of spending to support product development efforts, the introduction of new and enhanced products, the continuing market adoption of our products, the timing and extent of additional capital expenditures to invest in existing and new office spaces and the number of acquisitions of complementary businesses, products or technologies we pursue, if any. We may be required to seek additional equity or debt financing. In the event that we require additional financing, we may not be able to raise such financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital or generate cash flows necessary to expand our operations and invest in continued product innovation, we may not be able to compete successfully, which would harm our business, operations and financial condition.

Additionally, we expect our capital and operating expenditures will increase significantly in connection with ongoing activities as we:

•

increase our investment in marketing, sales and distribution infrastructure for our existing and future products and services;

•

develop additional new products and enhancements to existing products;

•

obtain, maintain and improve our operational, financial and management performance;

•

hire additional personnel;

•

obtain, maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio; and

•

continue to operate as a public company.

Indebtedness

As of September 30, 2024, there was $355.0 million outstanding under our 4.250% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029, before unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $10.1 million. In addition, as of September 30, 2024, there was $61.2 million outstanding under the Trinity Loan Agreement, before unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $2.5 million.

See Note 11 of Item 1 for additional information on our outstanding loan agreements.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2024			2023
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	(46,503	)	$	(56,650	)
Investing activities		(80,401	)		(49,153	)
Financing activities		256,499			4,863
Effect of exchange rate changes		763			(439	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	130,358		$	(101,379	)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $46.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and consisted of $137.8 million in net loss, $70.0 million in non-cash activities and $21.4 million in cash provided by operating assets and liabilities. Included in the non-cash activities are $39.9 million in stock-based compensation expense and $24.5 million in depreciation and amortization. Included in the cash provided by operating assets and liabilities are $27.8 million in contract liabilities, $13.9 million in trade payables, $12.9 million in accounts receivable, net, offset by cash used in operating assets and liabilities including $36.5 million in contract assets and $7.1 million in inventories.

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Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 of $80.4 million was primarily driven by $46.6 million of net cash used in investing activities related to purchases and maturities of marketable securities and $45.5 million of capital equipment and infrastructure investments, partially offset by $11.8 million of proceeds on disposal of assets, net primarily related to the sale of a helicopter.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 of $256.5 million was primarily related to $355.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of convertible senior notes, partially offset by $48.9 million of repayments on Trinity Loan Agreement, $43.2 million purchase of capped calls related to the issuance of convertible senior notes and $12.2 million of debt issuance costs.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as disclosed in our audited financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under applicable SEC rules.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and inflation.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, and the functional currency of each of our subsidiaries is either its local currency or the U.S. dollar. The assets and liabilities of each of our subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date and operations accounts are translated using the average exchange rate for the relevant period. Increases or decreases in the relative value of the U.S. dollar to other currencies may positively or negatively affect revenue and other operating results as expressed in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency translation adjustments are accounted for as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Gains or losses due to transactions in foreign currencies are reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations under the line item “Loss on foreign exchange.” Materially all of our revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars and we have not engaged in the hedging of foreign currency risk to date, although we may choose to do so in the future. As such, a 10% or greater move in exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar could have a material impact on our financial results and position.

Interest Rate Risk

As of September 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $292.5 million, comprised primarily of operating accounts and money market instruments and $211.2 million invested in marketable securities, comprised of commercial paper, corporate debt securities, bank certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury bills and notes and asset backed securities. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes and have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure.

Impact of Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Nonetheless, if our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures it could diminish our margin thereby limiting our profits, especially if we are not able to fully offset such higher costs. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there were no changes in the our internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising from the ordinary course of business. Our management believes that there are currently no claims or actions pending against us, the ultimate disposition of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024.

Item 2. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

Insider Trading Arrangements

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).

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Item 6. Exhibits



Exhibit Number	Description
10.1*‡	Rocket Lab USA, Inc. Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.

10.2	Employment Agreement, dated September 6, 2024, between Rocket Lab USA, Inc. and Frank Klein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed by Rocket Lab USA, Inc. on September 10, 2024).

31.1*	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act rules 13a-14 or 15d-14.

31.2*	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act rules 13a-14 or 15d-14.

32.1*†	Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act rules 13a-14(b) or 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

101.INS*	Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

101.SCH*	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Documents

104*	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

* Filed herewith.

† The certification furnished in Exhibit 32.1 hereto is deemed to be furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and will not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

‡ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



	ROCKET LAB USA, INC.

November 12, 2024	By:	/s/ Peter Beck
		Peter Beck
		President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
		(Principal Executive Officer)

November 12, 2024	By:	/s/ Adam Spice
		Adam Spice
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Rocket Lab - 10-Q quarterly report FY2024 Q3

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