Pentagon Accelerates Hypersonic Missile Development, Boosting Rocket Lab
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 13 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- Contract Expansion: Rocket Lab has secured a $190 million contract under the Pentagon's HASTE program to conduct 20 hypersonic test flights over the next four years, significantly enhancing its market position in the defense sector.
- Collaboration with Anduril: Rocket Lab will partner with defense tech unicorn Anduril Industries, which is paying $30 million for three hypersonic launches planned within the next year, further diversifying Rocket Lab's revenue streams and strengthening its technical capabilities.
- Revenue Diversification: HASTE contracts now account for nearly one-third of Rocket Lab's contracted backlog, potentially adding almost 5% to annual revenue, which not only helps diversify income sources but also provides stability to its stock price, especially after a significant rise over the past year.
- New Rocket Development: While Rocket Lab is developing the new medium-lift Neutron rocket with a capacity of 15 tons to low Earth orbit, the substantial revenue from HASTE contracts supports the continued use of the existing Electron rocket, ensuring competitive advantage and technological strength in the market.
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Analyst Views on RKLB
Wall Street analysts forecast RKLB stock price to fall
11 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 125.450
Low
63.00
Averages
86.89
High
120.00
Current: 125.450
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.
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- Transition from Prototype to Operations: This contract transitions the Heimdall space domain awareness payload development from the prototype phase to operational delivery, enhancing the Space Force's ability to monitor objects in geostationary orbit and bolstering the company's competitive position in the market.
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- Significant Contract Value: Rocket Lab has been awarded a $90 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to design, manufacture, integrate, and operate two geostationary satellites, marking the company's first foray into geostationary satellite production and expanding its vertically integrated mission model.
- Technological Integration Advantage: The new satellites will be built on Rocket Lab's Lightning bus, tailored for the thermal, radiation, propulsion, and station-keeping requirements of geostationary orbit, ensuring production efficiency and supply chain advantages across multiple national security programs.
- Transition from Prototype to Operations: This contract transitions the Heimdall space domain awareness payload development from the prototype phase to operational delivery, enhancing the Space Force's ability to monitor objects in geostationary orbit and bolstering the company's competitive position in the market.
- Production and Testing Hub: Rocket Lab will conduct spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing at its Long Beach, California facility, ensuring payload delivery and mission operations, further solidifying its leadership in the aerospace sector.
See More
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- Fuel Transfer Challenge: SpaceX estimates it will need to launch 12 Starships, each fully loaded with methalox fuel, to provide enough fuel for its Human Landing System, which is crucial for completing lunar missions and will directly impact the feasibility of future deep space exploration.
- Demonstration Timeline: SpaceX plans to demonstrate orbital cryogenic fuel transfer in June 2026; despite delays in development, the success of this technology is essential for establishing in-space refueling stations, potentially transforming the execution of future space missions.
- NASA's New Initiative: NASA has recently partnered with Rocket Lab for a nine-month LOXSAT mission aimed at demonstrating 11 critical cryogenic fluid management technologies, which will lay the groundwork for future space refueling stations to support long-term exploration.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Rocket Lab will use its Electron rocket to launch LOXSAT, with a tentative launch date set for July 17, highlighting the escalating competition between SpaceX and Rocket Lab in the realm of in-space fuel transfer technology, where the first to succeed could significantly influence their future trajectories.
See More
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- In-Space Refueling Demonstration: NASA plans to launch the LOXSAT satellite on July 17, provided by Rocket Lab, for a nine-month mission to demonstrate 11 critical cryogenic fluid management technologies, essential for establishing in-space propellant depots that support long-term exploration missions.
- Rocket Launch Collaboration: Rocket Lab will utilize its Electron rocket to launch LOXSAT and employ a Photon satellite bus to position it in the correct orbit, showcasing Rocket Lab's technical capabilities and potentially paving the way for future commercial opportunities.
- Competitive Pressure on SpaceX: SpaceX aims to conduct its own orbital cryogenic fuel transfer demonstration in June 2026, estimating it will need to launch 12 Starships to refuel its Human Landing System, creating a competitive race that could accelerate advancements in in-space refueling technology for both companies.
- Long-Term Strategic Implications: Successful in-space refueling technology will enable spacecraft to undertake longer missions, particularly within NASA's Artemis program, where Rocket Lab's technology could become a critical support for future space missions, enhancing its market competitiveness.
See More
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- Investor Enthusiasm: According to Vanda's report, retail investors are purchasing space-related funds at the fastest rate since 2021, with the Procure Space ETF (UFO) emerging as the standout favorite, indicating strong market interest in the space economy.
- Significant Capital Inflow: Over the past month, space-focused ETFs have attracted $1.3 billion in new capital, raising the total assets under management in this sector to $3.3 billion, reflecting investor optimism about the future of the space economy.
- Redwire's Strong Performance: Redwire (RDW) saw net buying of over $25 million this week, hitting record highs and gaining for the third consecutive week, indicating strong market interest in the company, especially with SpaceX's upcoming IPO.
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See More
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- Contract Win: Rocket Lab secured a $90 million contract with the U.S. Space Force to design and operate two geostationary satellites, marking its first foray into geostationary satellite production and enhancing its position as an end-to-end service provider.
- Stock Surge: As of 2:10 p.m. ET, Rocket Lab's stock rose 7.6%, with a remarkable 94% increase in 2026, indicating strong market demand and investor confidence amidst broader market gains.
- Successful Launch: The company completed its ninth successful satellite launch for Synspective, further solidifying its position in the satellite launch market and demonstrating its capability to meet customer demands effectively.
- Market Performance: With the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite up 0.6% and 0.5% respectively, Rocket Lab's stock performance stands out, reflecting optimistic expectations from investors regarding its future growth potential.
See More
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- Significant Market Potential: SpaceX's upcoming June IPO aims to raise up to $75 billion with a valuation of $1.75 trillion, which is expected to ignite investment across the aerospace sector, positioning Starfighters, as a smaller public company, to benefit from this trend.
- Partnership Agreement: Starfighters signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mu-G Technologies to modify and certify the Falcon 50 aircraft at Midland International Air & Space Port in Texas, aiming to rebuild the U.S. commercial microgravity capability and fill a significant market gap.
- Diverse Flight Environments: Under the MOU, Starfighters will provide multiple flight environments, including microgravity, reduced gravity, and hypergravity, leveraging the capabilities of both the Falcon 50 and F-104 aircraft to enhance its competitiveness in the aerospace testing market.
- Executive Changes and Expansion: With Tim Franta taking over as CEO in February 2026, Starfighters has recently added two senior engineers from Blue Origin, further strengthening its technical capabilities and market competitiveness.
See More
