Investor excitement in this space economy stock has accelerated into overdrive.Rocket Lab (RKLB 1.42%) is one of the best-performing growth stocks over the past year. The stock is up 676% in the past 12 months as of this writing on Aug. 28, which actually bests the performance of Palantir Technologies, another hot stock over that time span. Investors are falling in love with this space economy stock as it aims to become the next SpaceX and a key contractor to the U.S. government.Today, Rocket Lab stock trad ...

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab has seen an 80% increase in stock price year to date, with a market cap exceeding $20 billion, raising questions about its future growth potential compared to SpaceX [1][2]. Company Overview - Rocket Lab aims to become a vertically integrated space company, similar to SpaceX, which is currently valued at over $400 billion, indicating significant room for growth for Rocket Lab [2]. - The company is testing a new rocket, Neutron, which is expected to have capabilities similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9, with a full test flight scheduled for this year [4]. Market Potential - The space economy is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, with Rocket Lab currently generating $500 million in annual revenue, suggesting substantial growth potential if the company can capture a larger market share [5]. - Just 10 launches a year at a $50 million price point could double Rocket Lab's current sales, excluding additional revenue from satellite and space systems [7]. Future Business Model - Rocket Lab plans to develop in-house capabilities for third parties, including satellite internet and data analysis services, which could significantly increase its revenue streams [8][9]. - This strategy differs from SpaceX's Starlink, as Rocket Lab intends to build capabilities for outsourcing rather than selling its own service [9]. Long-term Outlook - If successful, Rocket Lab could achieve annual sales of $10 billion or more in the next decade, positioning itself as a major player in the space industry alongside SpaceX [9]. - The company has a solid execution track record and a promising product roadmap, which could lead to further growth over the next 10 years [11].

Core Insights - Rocket Lab's shares surged 40.4% in the first half of 2025, with a remarkable increase of nearly 600% over the past year, positioning the company closer to competing with SpaceX, which has a valuation of $400 billion [1][3]. Company Overview - Rocket Lab aims to establish itself as a vertically integrated space flight company in the U.S., starting with its Electron rocket, which has completed 68 missions and has a significant backlog of customer orders [3]. - The company has expanded its capabilities to include the sale of space systems such as satellites, communication systems, and solar arrays, which now account for the majority of its sales [4]. Future Developments - Rocket Lab is developing a larger rocket system called Neutron, which is expected to compete more directly with SpaceX. Testing for Neutron will commence soon, with a fully reusable system anticipated within the next one to two years [5]. Financial Performance - The company's revenue reached $122.5 million last quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 32% and an impressive growth of 734% over the past five years [6]. - Despite the rapid revenue growth, Rocket Lab's market capitalization stands at $18 billion, with total revenue of $466 million over the last 12 months, leading to a high price-to-sales ratio of 42, which raises concerns about sustainability [7].