Pentagon loans $150 million each to Stoke Space and Rocket Lab to bolster launch capacity
The Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital announced two conditional loans of $150 million each – one to Stoke Space and another to Rocket Lab – to help develop medium‑class rockets. The loans aim to address a potential launch‑supply crunch as SpaceX plans to wind down its Falcon 9/Heavy rockets after 2028. The funding will support infrastructure and vehicle development for the companies’ upcoming launch vehicles.
Why it matters
The loans give Rocket Lab additional capital to scale its Neutron rocket and related infrastructure, which could increase its share of future Space Force launch contracts. The support also diversifies the U.S. launch base, reducing reliance on SpaceX as Falcon retirements progress.
Key facts
- 1The Office of Strategic Capital committed a $150 million conditional loan to Stoke Space, announced on October 26. arstechnica.com
- 2A second $150 million conditional loan was provided to Rocket Lab. arstechnica.com
- 3SpaceX will stop taking commercial orders for Falcon 9 launches after 2028 and shift focus to Starship. arstechnica.com
- 4Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches for government customers are expected to continue through 2033. arstechnica.com
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 2 of 2 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.