Rocket Lab General Discussion Thread

[yoram]

Which makes me very curious, why Sir Peter Beck would want someone with such manufacturing expertise to helm the company operations? It is not like they are doing mass productions. I do understood that Sir Peter Beck has manufacturing experience in precision parts back in those days, but I can't really see the connection. Not like the company is building some lunar rovers in massive scale.

Maybe they're planning to get into sat building for mega constellations?
Either for themselves or some customer. Although it would seem difficult to see what investor into another mega constellation wouldn't go for vertical integration to keep costs under control. If it was for themselves it might be tough to get the required money. Neither scenario seems that likely.
 
Or alternatively Klein is getting old and wants to down size the stress at work somewhat and was looking for a smaller gig.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1835775299663081899

We’re saying thank you and farewell to Rocket Lab Board member, Mike Griffin, as he completes his tenure after four years serving the company. We’re grateful for his experience and leadership helping to guide Rocket Lab’s growth from a private start-up to a global industry leader in launch and space systems. We wish him all the best as he retires from the Rocket Lab’s Board.

[M.E.T.]

Am I reading this right? They now want to do Mars Sample Return for $2B in 2028?

https://twitter.com/mottbox_/status/1840279910578897055

[zubenelgenubi]

$RKLB The contract Rocket Lab won on the 28th to provide rapid studies for the mars sample return (MSR) program could result in a $2 BILLION contract.

“Rocket Lab will reduce cost and
schedule for MSR through a simplified mission, targeting a total to NASA of less than $2B.”

NASA’s original budget was $10billion.

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=1007866/solicitationId=%7BBB8B4EA2-C11B-259D-65E7-E0ADFA57CE11%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/RASMSR24%20Abstracts_revised%208-27-24.pdf
[Sep 29]

Further updates and discussion in this splinter thread: Rocket Lab Mars Sample Return Mission Proposal