Rocket Lab USA, Inc.·Industrials

U.S. stocks fell on Friday, following Thursday's advances. Futures of the major benchmark indices were trading lower as Iran blamed Israel for violating the ceasefire with attacks on Lebanon.

LONG BEACH, Calif., April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has signed another multi-launch deal with Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc (“iQPS”) in a deal that further strengthens the partnership with Rocket Lab as iQPS' primary launch provider.

Mars exploration is heating up. NASA eyes sample returns and crewed landings by the 2030s, but its current relay satellites - some decades past design life - struggle with data traffic from rovers, orbiters and future habitats. The Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN) is a $700 million dedicated communications backbone that delivers continuous relay, positioning, navigation... NASA's $700 Million Mars Network - Why Rocket Lab Is at the Front of the Line

Rocket Lab (RKLB +4.31%) just completed its 85th mission, further strengthening the case that the business is executing at a high level. But with options activity surging and expectations already elevated, the bigger opportunity may come down to whether the stock can still justify the story investors are paying for.

Rocket Lab is rated as a Speculative Buy, as I note that the bullish narrative remains intact despite the Neutron launch delay to Q4. RKLB trades at a steep premium of 44x forward P/S, reflecting very high confidence in its progress and future launch capabilities. But little room for disappointment, though. Backlog surged 69% QoQ to $1.85B, but sustainability hinges on successful Neutron execution and monetization. Further delays may set the stock back further.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) climbed about 5% on Wednesday after the space launch company completed its at-the-market equity offering program.The company sold about 6.7 mi
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a space company, provides launch services and space systems solutions for the space and defense industries. The company provides launch services, spacecraft engineering and design services, spacecraft components, spacecraft manufacturing, and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions; and constellation management services, as well as designs and manufactures small and medium-class rockets. It also designs, manufactures, and sells Electron small orbital launch vehicles and the Photon satellite platforms, as well as developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle; conducts remote launch activities; and designs and manufactures a range of components and subsystems for the Photon family of spacecraft and broader merchant spacecraft components. The company serves commercial, aerospace prime contractors, and government customers. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.
Industrials
Aerospace & Defense
2,100
2020-11-24
2.21