Rocket Lab announced the creation of Rocket Lab Germany GmbH, a subsidiary based in Munich, to support satellite manufacturing and launch services in Europe. The subsidiary was created from a pre‑existing German company and formally announced on 10 August. The company outlined three strategic pillars for the new hub: satellite manufacturing, assured access to space, and strategic autonomy and space sovereignty. CEO Peter Beck said the hub would enable Rocket Lab to serve commercial, civil and defence space programs as a domestic European provider and highlighted satellite manufacturing as central to its European expansion. Beck noted Europe’s need for sovereign space capabilities amid recent geopolitical tensions, citing Germany’s €35 billion investment in space‑related defence projects that include satellite communications, reconnaissance, missile early warning and improved access to space. He added that Europe’s limited launch capacity could create an opening for Rocket Lab, though initial launch availability will be limited. Beck said Rocket Lab is planning an initial “1‑3‑5 cadence” for its Neutron rocket, with hopes to exceed those numbers, and that several Neutron flights have already been sold to commercial customers and the U.S. government, with the next flights possibly not occurring until 2030. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher warned that Europe was approaching a launch capacity shortfall around 2030 as demand from current and planned satellite constellations peaks, and said European providers are working to increase Ariane 6 and Vega C flight rates.