"Vulcan certification adds launch capacity, resiliency and flexibility needed by our nation's most critical space-based systems."

A rocket the Centennial company has worked on for years is cleared for liftoff on billions of dollars worth of military space launches.

Shares of Rocket Lab USA rose 9.7% in extended trading after the announcement. The contract enables the company to compete for future U.S. national security launch missions. Rocket Lab and Stoke Space will each receive a $5 million order to conduct initial capability assessment.