EconomyAlaska · August 4, 2026
12 rockets are coming to kodiak
Kodiak is getting its own dedicated Rocket Lab launch pad, and the US Air Force is putting $266 million behind the work.
Daily Alaska staff · August 4, 2026
The US Air Force is paying $266 million to Rocket Lab for a minimum of 12 suborbital missile defense test launches, with an option for six more, to be flown from the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska at Narrow Cape on Kodiak Island by the end of 2028.
The spaceport is building Rocket Lab a dedicated launch pad, adding to the six pads already standing at Narrow Cape. That means pad construction, crews on site and up to 18 launch campaigns moving through a Kodiak Island economy built on commercial fishing.
Rocket Lab spokesperson Murielle Baker said Kodiak opens up more trajectories under operational conditions that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
The spaceport is operated by Alaska Aerospace Corp., led by president and CEO John Oberst. The corporation purchased 140 acres from the Burton family earlier in 2026, and federal funding for facility upgrades came through this year as well.
Rep. Nick Begich III called the award a clear vote of confidence in the strategic advantages Alaska brings to America's space and defense missions.
In this story
Questions people ask
Where will the Rocket Lab launches take place?
At the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska at Narrow Cape on Kodiak Island.
How much is the Air Force paying for these launches?
The US Air Force awarded Rocket Lab a $266 million contract announced July 21, 2026.
Who runs the spaceport?
Alaska Aerospace Corp., led by president and CEO John Oberst, is building the dedicated launch pad.
When do the launches need to wrap up?
By the end of 2028, covering a minimum of 12 suborbital missile defense test launches with an option for six more.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- The US Air Force is paying Rocket Lab $266 million for missile defense test launches at Kodiak's Narrow Cape. · alaskapublic.org
- The contract covers a minimum of 12 suborbital launches with an option for six more, all by the end of 2028. · alaskapublic.org
- Alaska Aerospace Corp. purchased 140 acres from the Burton family earlier in 2026 to build Rocket Lab's dedicated launch pad. · alaskapublic.org
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