Key Takeaways Boeing won a $2.84B deal to develop four ESS satellites by December 2033 for Space Systems Command. BA will perform contract work in El Segundo, CA, under the Evolved Strategic Satellite program. BA's deep space expertise and rising satellite demand are boosting its presence in defense space tech.The Boeing Company ((BA) recently clinched a contract involving the Evolved Strategic Satellite (ESS) program. The award has been provided by the Space Systems Command, Military Communication and Po ...

The White House outlined plans to phase out the Space Launch System, built by Boeing, but lawmakers and lobbyists have helped keep it alive https://t.co/QJJTNTFXCg ...

Core Insights - Rocket Lab Corp. (RKLB) is nearing a significant milestone with its Neutron rocket set for its first flight in the second half of 2025, aiming to enter the medium-lift payload market and compete with heavy-lift providers like SpaceX [1][11] Company Developments - The Neutron rocket is a medium-class, reusable vehicle with a payload capacity of approximately 15,000 kg, designed to provide flexible and cost-effective access to space for various customers, including satellite constellations and government missions [2] - In May 2025, Rocket Lab announced a launch for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, marking a new era in commercial launch capabilities for defense logistics [3] - The company is modifying an ocean landing platform for Neutron missions, which includes autonomous ground support equipment and blast shielding for safe landings [4] Market Performance - Recent announcements regarding the Neutron program have increased investor confidence, reflected in Rocket Lab's share price, which has increased by 40% year-to-date and 103.6% over the past three months [5][11] - The space launch services market is experiencing growth due to rising demand for satellite constellations and government investments, making it a favorable environment for Rocket Lab and other industry players [6] Competitive Landscape - Other notable companies in the space launch market include Boeing and Lockheed Martin, both of which have established positions and significant contributions to space missions [7][8][9] Financial Metrics - Rocket Lab's shares have outperformed the industry, gaining 630.8% over the past year compared to the industry's 50.9% growth [10] - The company currently trades at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 22.49X, significantly higher than the industry's average of 10.06X [12] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimates for Rocket Lab's losses in 2025 and 2026 have improved over the past 60 days, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [13][14]

Core Insights - Northrop Grumman Corporation has invested $50 million in Firefly Aerospace to enhance the production of their co-developed medium launch vehicle, Eclipse™ [2][3] - Eclipse is designed to deliver significant payload capacities, with capabilities of 16,300 kg to low Earth orbit and 3,200 kg to geosynchronous transfer orbit [5] Company Developments - Firefly Aerospace is advancing the development of Eclipse flight hardware, with qualification testing currently underway and over 60 hot fire tests of the Miranda engine completed [2][3] - The Eclipse launch vehicle incorporates proven avionics from Northrop Grumman's Antares program, along with enhancements such as a larger 5.4-meter payload fairing [3][5] - The partnership aims to fill a gap in the market for affordable and efficient launch services, targeting both civil and national security customers [5] Technical Specifications - Eclipse utilizes the patented tap-off cycle architecture from Firefly's Alpha rocket engines, with a successful 206-second hot fire test of the Miranda engine [4] - The vehicle is built on the foundation of Northrop Grumman's Antares and Firefly's Alpha rocket, enhancing power, performance, and production efficiency [3][5] Market Position - Eclipse is positioned to support a variety of missions, including space station resupply, commercial spacecraft launches, and critical national security missions, with its first launch planned for 2026 from Wallops Island, Virginia [5]