On September 24, 2020, Vector Acquisition Corporation's S-1 registration became effective, leading to the IPO closing on September 29, 2020, with 30 million units sold (excluding underwriter option), each comprising one Class A ordinary share and one-third redeemable warrant exercisable at $11.50. Gross proceeds totaled $300M, supplemented by $8M from 5.333 million private placement warrants sold to sponsor Vector Acquisition Partners, L.P. at $1.50 each. Key agreements include the underwriting agreement with Deutsche Bank and BofA Securities, warrant agreement, investment management trust for proceeds, registration rights, letter agreement with sponsor and insiders imposing transfer restrictions and voting commitments, and administrative services from sponsor at $10k/month. Articles of association were amended. As the SPAC that later merged with Rocket Lab in 2021, this IPO provided the capital base for Rocket Lab's public listing via de-SPAC transaction.

This SPAC IPO raised $308M total proceeds held in trust, providing dry powder for a business combination; historically, it enabled Rocket Lab's 2021 de-SPAC merger, granting public market access without traditional IPO risks. No immediate operational impact on Rocket Lab (pre-merger), but strategically validated the SPAC path for aerospace firms. Investors should note as foundational event for RKLB's public status; monitor trust redemption risks in SPACs generally.