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Mission Success: Rocket Lab Launches Korean Earth-Imaging Satellite, Completes 2nd Launch in 8 Days
Globenewswire· 2026-01-30 02:27
Core Insights - Rocket Lab Corporation successfully launched its 81st Electron rocket, marking the second launch in eight days, to deploy the NEONSAT-1A satellite for the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) [1][2][3] Company Performance - The launch of "Bridging The Swarm" took place on January 30, 2026, at 2:21 p.m. NZDT, deploying the NEONSAT-1A satellite into a 540 km low Earth orbit [2] - The NEONSAT-1A satellite is designed to enhance the South Korean government's capabilities in monitoring natural disasters and national security events [2] - Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, highlighted the strong demand for the Electron rocket and the company's commitment to maintaining its leadership in reliable launch services [3] Future Outlook - Rocket Lab is preparing for a busy launch year in 2026, with upcoming missions planned for commercial Earth observation, international space agencies, national security, and hypersonic technology development [3] - The company has established itself as a leader in the launch services market, having achieved a record number of launches in 2025 [3] Company Overview - Rocket Lab is a prominent space company providing launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components for commercial, government, and national security markets [4] - The Electron rocket is noted as the world's most frequently launched orbital small rocket, while the HASTE rocket offers hypersonic test launch capabilities [4] - The company has supported over 1,700 missions across various sectors, including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus [4]
Rocket Lab Announces Date of Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
Globenewswire· 2026-01-26 21:45
LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced that it will release its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025 following the close of the U.S. markets on Thursday February 26, 2026. Rocket Lab will host a corresponding conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be ...
Rocket Lab Delivers Mission Success on First Launch of 2026 for New Customer: Open Cosmos
Globenewswire· 2026-01-22 12:33
Core Insights - Rocket Lab Corporation successfully completed its first launch of 2026 and its 80th overall Electron launch, demonstrating its ongoing capabilities in the launch services sector [1][2] Launch Details - The mission titled 'The Cosmos Will See You Now' lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, deploying two satellites into a 1,050 km circular Earth orbit for Open Cosmos, marking a successful collaboration with a new customer [2][4] - This launch highlighted the Electron rocket's versatility and reliability, reinforcing its position as a dependable small spacecraft launch vehicle [2][4] Customer and Market Context - Open Cosmos, a pan-European space technology company, is expanding its satellite services, having recently secured high-priority Ka-band spectrum and launched its first satellites for a new low Earth orbit telecom constellation [3] - The new constellation complements existing satellites that provide high-resolution imagery and global monitoring, indicating a growing demand for satellite services [3] Company Overview - Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab has established itself as a leader in end-to-end space solutions, including reliable launch services, satellite manufacturing, and on-orbit management [5] - The Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, successfully delivering over 200 satellites for various applications, including national security and scientific research [5] - Rocket Lab is also developing the larger Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment, indicating future growth potential in the launch services market [5]
Rocket Lab Neutron Test Update
Globenewswire· 2026-01-22 00:00
LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced an update relating to the development of its Neutron rocket. As the Company pushes Neutron to the limits and beyond to qualify its systems and structures for launch, qualification testing of the Stage 1 tank overnight resulted in a rupture during a hydrostatic pressure trial. Testing failures are not uncommon during ...
Speed Superiority: U.S. Defense Spending Surges for Hypersonics and Rapid Launch
Markets.Businessinsider.Com· 2026-01-02 17:45
Core Insights - The U.S. is experiencing a 'Sputnik moment' in tactical space access, with a significant investment of over $6.9 billion allocated by the Pentagon for hypersonic weapons development in FY 2025, indicating a shift towards speed superiority in the hypersonic technology market, projected to reach $8.46 billion by 2025 [1][2] Industry Overview - The global commercial space launch services market is expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%, valued at $8.2 billion in 2024, driven by satellite operators' demand for rapid deployment and mission flexibility [2] - The Space Force's FY 2026 budget authorizations are approaching $40 billion, highlighting the urgency for reusable platforms, hypersonic propulsion systems, and resilient satellite networks to respond to emerging threats quickly [2] Company Highlights: Starfighters Space, Inc. - Starfighters Space, Inc. recently provided a year-end corporate update, marking a transformational year following its successful listing on the NYSE American exchange [3] - The company operates the world's largest commercial supersonic aircraft fleet, utilizing seven F-104 Starfighter aircraft capable of sustained MACH 2 flight, offering flexible scheduling and rapid turnaround times for payload launches [4][5] - Starfighters generates revenue through various channels, including hypersonic weapons testing in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, addressing national security priorities amid competition from Russia and China [7] - The STARLAUNCH program targets small satellite operators, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive dedicated launches with projected costs around $15,000 per kilogram [8][9] Company Highlights: AST SpaceMobile, Inc. - AST SpaceMobile successfully launched BlueBird 6, the largest commercial communications array in low Earth orbit, designed to provide peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps to standard mobile devices [10][11] - The company plans to launch 45-60 satellites by the end of 2026, aiming to build global coverage for its network of over 50 mobile operator partners [12] Company Highlights: Rocket Lab Corporation - Rocket Lab concluded 2025 with its 21st successful Electron launch, achieving 100% mission success while deploying a satellite for Japan-based iQPS, solidifying its position as a leading small launch provider [13][14] - The company plans to expand Electron's global reach with more multi-launch constellation deployments and dedicated missions for defense applications [14] Company Highlights: L3Harris Technologies - L3Harris received a letter of intent from Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for a commercial contract to produce 60 Zeus hypersonic motors, increasing its annual production rate by over 50% [15][16] - The Zeus motors support critical hypersonic vehicle and ballistic missile defense testing, addressing the growing demand for hypersonic test capabilities [16][19]
Jim Cramer on Rocket Lab: “I Think It’s a Very Good Spec”
Yahoo Finance· 2025-12-21 15:07
Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) is viewed positively as a speculative investment ahead of significant developments in the rocket industry next year [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Rocket Lab Corporation provides launch services, spacecraft design, manufacturing, and on-orbit management solutions [1]. Group 2: Investment Perspective - Jim Cramer expressed that while Rocket Lab is not inexpensive, it is a favorable speculative investment at current prices [1]. - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and less downside risk compared to Rocket Lab [1].
Rocket Lab Successfully Launches for iQPS, Ends 2025 with 21 Launches and 100% Mission Success
Globenewswire· 2025-12-21 08:04
Core Points - Rocket Lab Corporation successfully launched its 21st Electron rocket of the year, setting a new annual launch record with 100% mission success [3][4] - The mission, named 'The Wisdom God Guides', deployed the QPS-SAR-15 satellite for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), enhancing their Earth imaging capabilities [2][4] - Rocket Lab plans to expand its Electron launch services in 2026, targeting more multi-launch constellation deployments and missions for domestic and international space agencies [4] Company Overview - Rocket Lab is a leading space company providing launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components for commercial, government, and national security markets [5] - The Electron rocket is recognized as the world's most frequently launched small-lift orbital rocket, with a total of 79 missions completed [4][5] - The company is also developing the Neutron launch vehicle to support medium launch capabilities for various missions [5]
BofA Suggests Rocket Lab is Operating in a Space Industry Ripe for Consolidation, Forecasting a ‘Winner-Take-Most’ Outcome
Yahoo Finance· 2025-12-18 08:20
Company Overview - Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) is a space company that provides launch services and space systems solutions in the US, Canada, Japan, and internationally [4] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Rocket Lab's revenue reached $155 million, marking a 48% year-over-year increase, driven by the Space Systems segment which generated $114.2 million in revenue, a 16.7% sequential increase [2] - The Launch Services segment experienced a 12.3% sequential revenue decline, totaling $40.9 million, primarily due to delays in customer spacecraft delivery [2] Market Outlook - Bank of America raised Rocket Lab's price target to $60 from $50, maintaining a Buy rating, citing the space industry as ripe for consolidation with a potential 'winner-take-most' model [1] - Rocket Lab has a significant backlog of approximately $1.1 billion, with 53% from Space Systems and 47% from launch contracts, which include 49 total launches on contract [3] - For Q4, Rocket Lab provided revenue guidance of $170 to $180 million and anticipates the first test launch of its next-generation Neutron rocket early next year, with a projected launch cadence of three revenue-generating flights in the first year following the successful test [3]
Rocket Lab Schedules Launch for U.S. Space Force’s STP-S30 Mission, Brings Launch Forward By Several Months
Globenewswire· 2025-12-16 23:00
Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab Corporation is set to launch the STP-S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force, showcasing its ability to meet urgent space access demands by accelerating the launch timeline by several months [1][4]. Launch Details - The launch, titled 'Don't Be Such A Square', is scheduled for December 18, 2025, at 05:00 UTC from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport [2][9]. - This mission will be Rocket Lab's 20th launch of the year and the 78th overall [5]. Mission Objectives - The STP-S30 mission will deploy the first four DiskSats, innovative disk-shaped spacecraft developed by The Aerospace Corporation, aimed at testing maneuverability and electric propulsion capabilities [3]. - The DiskSats will be delivered to a 550 km low Earth orbit, where their operational features will be evaluated [3]. Company Performance - Rocket Lab has demonstrated its responsive launch service by accelerating the launch from an initial target of April 2026 to December 2025, highlighting its industry-leading capabilities [4].
Is Rocket Lab's Neutron Rocket Nearing Launch Readiness?
ZACKS· 2025-12-11 16:11
Group 1: Company Developments - Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has completed qualification testing for its innovative Hungry Hippo fairing system, marking a significant step forward for the Neutron rocket [1][8] - The Hungry Hippo fairing allows Neutron to keep its fairing attached during launch and landing, which supports faster reuse and simpler operations for various missions [2][8] - Neutron is built from carbon composite material and can lift up to 13,000 kilograms, positioning Rocket Lab to compete for larger, higher-value missions [3] Group 2: Launch Timeline and Readiness - Neutron began development in late 2021 and is on track for its first flight in 2026, with major hardware arriving at Launch Complex 3 in Virginia [4][8] - The qualification of the fairing design and structure indicates that Neutron is moving deeper into launch readiness [3][8] Group 3: Market Context and Competitors - The space launch services market is expanding due to technological progress, rising satellite deployment, and increasing commercial space activity, creating opportunities for major players like Boeing and Lockheed Martin [5] - United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, has completed over 150 launches and recently introduced the Vulcan rocket for more affordable and flexible launch options [6] Group 4: Financial Performance - RKLB shares have gained 154.7% in the past year, significantly outperforming the industry's growth of 23.9% [7] - The company's forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio is 36.58X, compared to the industry's average of 9.87X, indicating that shares are relatively expensive [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's losses in 2025 and 2026 has improved by 16.67% and 6.67%, respectively, over the past 60 days [10]