Rocket Lab achieved a significant milestone on December 18, 2025, when it successfully launched four experimental DiskSat satellites into low Earth orbit, further advancing the United States’ space research capabilities while also setting a new annual launch record for the private aerospace firm. The mission, creatively titled “Don’t Be Such a Square,” took place at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia, and marked the 20th successful orbital mission of the year for Rocket Lab. This achievement underscores the company’s growing role in providing fast, flexible launch services for both government and commercial clients.
The focal point of the mission was the deployment of DiskSats — a new class of flat, disc-shaped satellites developed by The Aerospace Corporation with support from NASA. Unlike the more familiar cube-shaped small satellites, or CubeSats, these thin, circular spacecraft are designed to offer more surface area relative to their volume. Measuring approximately 40 inches in diameter and just an inch thick, the DiskSats aim to reduce atmospheric drag, allowing them to remain in orbit longer while also accommodating larger solar arrays and scientific instruments. These features are particularly valuable for missions in very low Earth orbit, where traditional satellite shapes face performance and lifespan limitations due to increased drag.
Commissioned by the U.S. Space Force under the Space Systems Command’s Space Test Program, the mission was executed under a contract intended to support research and innovation in satellite technology. The satellites were deployed into a 550-kilometer circular orbit, and within an hour of launch, Rocket Lab confirmed that all four spacecraft had successfully separated from the Electron rocket’s upper stage. This rapid deployment marked not only a technological success but also a demonstration of Rocket Lab’s increasing responsiveness to government schedules and priorities. In fact, the launch date had been moved forward from an original 2026 target, highlighting the company’s capacity to adapt quickly to evolving mission needs.
The DiskSats will now begin a phase of on-orbit testing to evaluate their propulsion systems, communication capabilities, and general maneuverability. Each satellite is equipped with electric propulsion, allowing it to adjust its position in space and simulate different mission scenarios. These trials will help determine whether the DiskSat form factor is viable for broader deployment in Earth observation, science, and defense missions. Officials from The Aerospace Corporation and NASA see this mission as a crucial step toward diversifying the design of small spacecraft and making future missions more adaptable and energy-efficient.
This effort is part of a wider trend of government-private sector collaboration aimed at modernizing space infrastructure and capabilities. NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program has increasingly emphasized partnerships that allow for more experimental technologies to reach space. DiskSat is a clear example of this model at work, where a non-traditional satellite design can be tested at relatively low cost thanks to smaller, more frequent launches like those offered by Rocket Lab. The U.S. Space Force, for its part, continues to look for new satellite platforms that can provide flexibility and resilience in increasingly contested and congested orbital environments.
Beyond the technical goals, the success of this mission carries symbolic weight for Rocket Lab as well. Completing 20 orbital missions in a single year represents a new high-water mark for the company, which has built a reputation for reliability in the small satellite launch market. The Electron rocket, now a veteran of numerous missions, continues to serve as a dependable vehicle for rapid deployments. Rocket Lab’s ability to maintain a steady cadence of launches has made it a preferred partner for defense and research organizations that require timely access to orbit.
Rocket Lab’s accomplishments in 2025 extend beyond this mission. Earlier in the year, the company launched a series of commercial and government payloads from both its U.S. and New Zealand launch sites. It also conducted suborbital missions with its HASTE vehicle, supporting hypersonic technology tests. These varied efforts demonstrate the company’s strategic shift toward becoming a more versatile aerospace provider, capable of supporting a range of missions from Earth observation to national defense and scientific exploration.
Looking ahead, Rocket Lab is preparing to debut its larger Neutron rocket, which will accommodate medium-lift payloads and expand the company’s capacity to serve more ambitious missions, including those requiring payload return and potentially crewed missions in the longer term. If successful, the Neutron will significantly broaden the range of services Rocket Lab can offer and deepen its integration with U.S. space infrastructure.
For now, the successful deployment of the DiskSats and the breaking of a personal launch record solidify Rocket Lab’s position as a key player in the evolving space industry. The mission represents not only an engineering achievement but also a strong signal that the U.S. space ecosystem is increasingly capable of deploying, testing, and scaling new technologies with unprecedented speed.
