Blue Origin Pauses New Shepard Flights to Focus on Lunar Development
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 30 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RKLB?
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin announced it will pause its New Shepard flights and shift resources to further accelerate development of the company's human lunar capabilities. "The decision reflects Blue Origin's commitment to the nation's goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent, sustained lunar presence. New Shepard is the first reusable spaceflight system to vertically land and has flown 38 times and carried 98 humans above the Karman line to date. New Shepard has launched more than 200 scientific and research payloads from students, academia, research organizations, and NASA. This consistent and reliable performance, combined with an exceptional customer experience, has resulted in a multi-year customer backlog," the company stated. Publicly traded companies in the space launch and services area include Rocket Lab (RKLB), ViaSat (VSAT), EchoStar (SATS), AST Space Mobile (ASTS), Voyager Technologies (VOYG), Intuitive Machines (LUNR), FireFly Aerospace (FLY) and Virgin Galactic (SPCE).
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy RKLB?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on RKLB
Wall Street analysts forecast RKLB stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 76.580
Low
63.00
Averages
86.89
High
120.00
Current: 76.580
Low
63.00
Averages
86.89
High
120.00
About RKLB
Rocket Lab Corporation is an end-to-end space company. The Company designs and manufactures small and medium-class rockets, spacecraft and spacecraft components, and related software and services to support the space economy. The Company delivers reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft design services, spacecraft components, spacecraft manufacturing, and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it easier to access space. Its Launch Services segment provides launch and launch-related services to customers on a dedicated mission or ride-share basis. Its Space Systems segment comprises the design and manufacture of spacecraft components and spacecraft program management services, space data applications, and mission operations. Its space systems solutions are the building blocks for spacecraft, which include composite structures, reaction wheels, star trackers, solar solutions, radios, separation systems, and command and control spacecraft software.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Rocket Lab Shares Decline Amid Multiple Pressures
- Liquidity Pressure: Speculation surrounding a potential $1.5 trillion IPO for SpaceX has drawn capital away from competitors like Rocket Lab, reflecting a broader decline in space-related equities.
- Congressional Funding Cuts: The withholding of funding for a planned 2031 Mars sample-return mission has forced investors to recalibrate Rocket Lab's long-term opportunities, adding company-specific pressure.
- Technical Testing Progress: Rocket Lab's Cassowary Vex mission is set for liftoff no earlier than late February, marking its fourth hypersonic test in under six months, aimed at reducing costs and increasing test cadence to Mach 20.
- Stock Technical Analysis: Rocket Lab shares are currently trading 6.2% below their 20-day simple moving average but 11.5% above their 100-day SMA, indicating short-term weakness while still maintaining a longer-term upward trend.
See More
Rocket Lab Faces Critical Neutron Test Failure
- Test Failure Impact: Rocket Lab's Neutron test failure has led to a decline in stock prices, raising significant doubts about the feasibility of its 2026 timeline, which could undermine investor confidence and future funding capabilities.
- Potential Revenue Stream: Should Neutron succeed, Rocket Lab could unlock a massive new revenue stream, reshaping its long-term growth narrative in the space industry and attracting greater investor interest.
- Market Reaction: The stock price drop on February 9, 2026, reflects investor concerns regarding the company's future prospects, potentially leading to short-term capital outflows.
- Strategic Implications: This test failure not only affects the company's short-term stock performance but may also have profound implications for its long-term strategic planning, forcing management to reassess its technological roadmap and market positioning.
See More
Rocket Lab's Earnings Approach Amid Focus on Neutron Timeline
Upcoming Earnings Report: Rocket Lab is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings report on February 26, with investors keenly awaiting updates on timelines and guidance amid a significant drop in stock prices, down nearly 30% from recent highs.
Stock Performance and Market Sentiment: Despite recent volatility, Rocket Lab's long-term trends remain intact, with the stock still up over 1,300% in the past three years, although it has faced sharp selling pressure recently due to broader market weaknesses and concerns surrounding Neutron development.
Neutron Development Update: Investor anxiety has been heightened by a recent incident involving a Stage 1 tank rupture during qualification testing, which could potentially delay the Neutron's maiden flight; the company plans to assess the impact and provide updates during the upcoming earnings call.
Financial Outlook and Revenue Guidance: Rocket Lab's management previously guided for fourth-quarter revenue between $170 million and $180 million, with expectations of non-GAAP gross margins in the mid-40% range, and a strong backlog of contracts is anticipated to convert into revenue over the next year.
See More
Pentagon Invests $68 Million to Accelerate Hypersonic Technologies
- Hypersonic Technology Investment: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million across six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Dark Eagle Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle, the nation's first operational ground-launched hypersonic weapon, with delivery expected to complete in early 2026, marking a critical advancement in the U.S. hypersonic weapons program.
- Commercial-Aerospace Defense Intersection: Companies like Starfighters Space are gaining attention at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, with Starfighters recently completing wind tunnel tests for STARLAUNCH 1, validating its air-launched system design and strengthening its position in the hypersonic market.
- Investment Flow into Industry: Hypersonic testing companies are securing significant institutional investments to expand production capacity and flight cadence, indicating a rapidly growing market demand for hypersonic technologies and driving strategic developments for related firms.
See More
Pentagon Accelerates Hypersonic Technology Development with $68 Million Investment
- Funding Injection: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million to six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Weapon Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon, with deliveries expected to complete in early 2026, marking the first operational use of ground-launched hypersonic weapons in the U.S., which could transform future battlefield dynamics.
- Commercial and Defense Synergy: Companies like Starfighters Space are positioned at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, attracting substantial private capital to enhance production capacity and flight cadence, reflecting strong market demand for rapidly advancing hypersonic technologies.
- Testing Progress: Starfighters Space recently completed wind tunnel testing for STARLAUNCH 1, validating separation behavior at Mach 0.85 and Mach 1.3, with results showing strong alignment with computational fluid dynamics predictions, laying a solid foundation for subsequent flight testing.
See More
Rocket Lab Stock Surge Driven by Defense Sentiment
- Market Sentiment Recovery: Rocket Lab shares surged 6.37% to $74.33 amid a broader rally in aerospace and defense stocks, driven by rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, reflecting a positive market sentiment towards defense sectors.
- Hypersonic Testing Initiative: The upcoming Cassowary Vex mission, scheduled for late February, marks Rocket Lab's fourth hypersonic test in six months, aimed at reducing costs and increasing testing frequency for the U.S. and allies, thereby enhancing its strategic position in defense.
- Technical Analysis: Currently, the stock is trading 4.1% below its 20-day simple moving average but 1.2% above its 50-day average, indicating mixed short-term momentum, suggesting traders should monitor potential shifts in market sentiment closely.
- Earnings Preview: Rocket Lab is set to report earnings on February 26, with an EPS estimate of a 9-cent loss and revenue forecast of $178.07 million, while analysts maintain a Buy rating, indicating strong confidence in the company's future performance.
See More
Rocket Lab Shares Decline Amid Multiple Pressures
- Liquidity Pressure: Speculation surrounding a potential $1.5 trillion IPO for SpaceX has drawn capital away from competitors like Rocket Lab, reflecting a broader decline in space-related equities.
- Congressional Funding Cuts: The withholding of funding for a planned 2031 Mars sample-return mission has forced investors to recalibrate Rocket Lab's long-term opportunities, adding company-specific pressure.
- Technical Testing Progress: Rocket Lab's Cassowary Vex mission is set for liftoff no earlier than late February, marking its fourth hypersonic test in under six months, aimed at reducing costs and increasing test cadence to Mach 20.
- Stock Technical Analysis: Rocket Lab shares are currently trading 6.2% below their 20-day simple moving average but 11.5% above their 100-day SMA, indicating short-term weakness while still maintaining a longer-term upward trend.
See More
Rocket Lab Faces Critical Neutron Test Failure
- Test Failure Impact: Rocket Lab's Neutron test failure has led to a decline in stock prices, raising significant doubts about the feasibility of its 2026 timeline, which could undermine investor confidence and future funding capabilities.
- Potential Revenue Stream: Should Neutron succeed, Rocket Lab could unlock a massive new revenue stream, reshaping its long-term growth narrative in the space industry and attracting greater investor interest.
- Market Reaction: The stock price drop on February 9, 2026, reflects investor concerns regarding the company's future prospects, potentially leading to short-term capital outflows.
- Strategic Implications: This test failure not only affects the company's short-term stock performance but may also have profound implications for its long-term strategic planning, forcing management to reassess its technological roadmap and market positioning.
See More
Rocket Lab's Earnings Approach Amid Focus on Neutron Timeline
Upcoming Earnings Report: Rocket Lab is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings report on February 26, with investors keenly awaiting updates on timelines and guidance amid a significant drop in stock prices, down nearly 30% from recent highs.
Stock Performance and Market Sentiment: Despite recent volatility, Rocket Lab's long-term trends remain intact, with the stock still up over 1,300% in the past three years, although it has faced sharp selling pressure recently due to broader market weaknesses and concerns surrounding Neutron development.
Neutron Development Update: Investor anxiety has been heightened by a recent incident involving a Stage 1 tank rupture during qualification testing, which could potentially delay the Neutron's maiden flight; the company plans to assess the impact and provide updates during the upcoming earnings call.
Financial Outlook and Revenue Guidance: Rocket Lab's management previously guided for fourth-quarter revenue between $170 million and $180 million, with expectations of non-GAAP gross margins in the mid-40% range, and a strong backlog of contracts is anticipated to convert into revenue over the next year.
See More
Pentagon Invests $68 Million to Accelerate Hypersonic Technologies
- Hypersonic Technology Investment: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million across six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Dark Eagle Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle, the nation's first operational ground-launched hypersonic weapon, with delivery expected to complete in early 2026, marking a critical advancement in the U.S. hypersonic weapons program.
- Commercial-Aerospace Defense Intersection: Companies like Starfighters Space are gaining attention at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, with Starfighters recently completing wind tunnel tests for STARLAUNCH 1, validating its air-launched system design and strengthening its position in the hypersonic market.
- Investment Flow into Industry: Hypersonic testing companies are securing significant institutional investments to expand production capacity and flight cadence, indicating a rapidly growing market demand for hypersonic technologies and driving strategic developments for related firms.
See More
Pentagon Accelerates Hypersonic Technology Development with $68 Million Investment
- Funding Injection: The Pentagon's Joint Hypersonics Transition Office has awarded $68 million to six vendors to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of exceeding Mach 5, significantly enhancing the U.S. competitive edge in hypersonic weaponry.
- Weapon Deployment: The U.S. Army has begun fielding the Dark Eagle hypersonic weapon, with deliveries expected to complete in early 2026, marking the first operational use of ground-launched hypersonic weapons in the U.S., which could transform future battlefield dynamics.
- Commercial and Defense Synergy: Companies like Starfighters Space are positioned at the intersection of commercial aerospace and defense testing, attracting substantial private capital to enhance production capacity and flight cadence, reflecting strong market demand for rapidly advancing hypersonic technologies.
- Testing Progress: Starfighters Space recently completed wind tunnel testing for STARLAUNCH 1, validating separation behavior at Mach 0.85 and Mach 1.3, with results showing strong alignment with computational fluid dynamics predictions, laying a solid foundation for subsequent flight testing.
See More
Rocket Lab Stock Surge Driven by Defense Sentiment
- Market Sentiment Recovery: Rocket Lab shares surged 6.37% to $74.33 amid a broader rally in aerospace and defense stocks, driven by rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, reflecting a positive market sentiment towards defense sectors.
- Hypersonic Testing Initiative: The upcoming Cassowary Vex mission, scheduled for late February, marks Rocket Lab's fourth hypersonic test in six months, aimed at reducing costs and increasing testing frequency for the U.S. and allies, thereby enhancing its strategic position in defense.
- Technical Analysis: Currently, the stock is trading 4.1% below its 20-day simple moving average but 1.2% above its 50-day average, indicating mixed short-term momentum, suggesting traders should monitor potential shifts in market sentiment closely.
- Earnings Preview: Rocket Lab is set to report earnings on February 26, with an EPS estimate of a 9-cent loss and revenue forecast of $178.07 million, while analysts maintain a Buy rating, indicating strong confidence in the company's future performance.
See More
