Rocket Lab wins NASA refueling mission, enabling deep space travel

NASA selected Rocket Lab to support a mission demonstrating in-orbit cryogenic propellant management.

Rocket Lab will provide its Electron rocket and Photon satellite bus for Eta Space’s LOXSAT-1 mission.

The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than July 17, 2026.

The nine-month flight will test technologies required for orbital refueling stations.

This capability supports long-duration travel to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The project is part of NASA’s Tipping Point program to advance human space exploration.