Rocket Lab Faces Launch Delay but Secures New Contracts
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy RKLB?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Launch Delay Impact: Rocket Lab's medium-lift Neutron launch vehicle has been delayed to late 2026 due to a fuel tank rupture discovered before launch, resulting in a 14% stock price drop over the past few months, which has affected market confidence.
- Defense Contract Secured: In mid-March, the company signed a $190 million contract for 20 hypersonic test flights using its HASTE vehicle, a suborbital variant of Electron, enhancing its capabilities in the defense and national security sectors.
- Customer Base Expansion: Rocket Lab has signed a deal with Japanese satellite manufacturer iQPS for three Electron launches starting in 2028, indicating an expansion of its international customer base and potential for increased revenue streams.
- Growth Outlook: The company's backlog now stands at $1.85 billion, with 74% from space systems, and analysts project revenue growth to $870 million this year and $1.2 billion by 2027, indicating strong growth potential.
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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: 90.040
Low
63.00
Averages
86.89
High
120.00
Current: 90.040
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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- Satellite Deployment Achievement: The 'Kakushin Rising' mission successfully deployed eight satellites, including educational smallsats and an ocean-monitoring satellite, demonstrating Rocket Lab's efficiency in meeting complex mission requirements and enhancing its competitiveness in the international space market.
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See More
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- Successful Mission Launch: On April 23, 2026, Rocket Lab successfully launched its second dedicated mission for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), further solidifying its partnership with Japan's national space agency and showcasing its leadership in global launch services.
- Satellite Deployment Achievement: The 'Kakushin Rising' mission successfully deployed eight satellites, including educational smallsats and an ocean-monitoring satellite, demonstrating Rocket Lab's efficiency in meeting complex mission requirements and enhancing its competitiveness in the international space market.
- Reliability Reaffirmed: Rocket Lab worked closely with JAXA to ensure that the mission requirements for each satellite were precisely met, further solidifying the Electron rocket's reputation for reliability and establishing it as the preferred choice for national space agencies.
- Future Launch Plans: This launch marks Rocket Lab's eighth of 2026, with upcoming missions planned for commercial Earth observation, new space technology demonstrations, and national security tasks, indicating its ongoing business expansion strategy and market potential.
See More
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- Market Outlook: According to MarketsandMarkets, the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems market is projected to reach $20.31 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.1%, providing robust market support for VisionWave's strategic investment.
- Technology Integration: VisionWave plans to integrate xClibre across its full defense stack, particularly in the Argus™ counter-UAS platform and autonomous interceptor systems, which is expected to enhance target classification and engagement authorization efficiency.
- Shareholder Approval: The transaction includes the issuance of up to 7 million shares of common stock, with the release of contingent shares dependent on successful proof-of-concept validation and shareholder approval, laying the groundwork for the company's future commercialization.
See More
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- Successful Mission Launch: Rocket Lab successfully completed its second dedicated mission for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, marking a significant expansion in its international space market presence and enhancing its competitive edge in global launch services.
- Diverse Satellite Deployment: The “Kakushin Rising” mission launched from New Zealand and successfully deployed eight spacecraft, including educational small satellites and an ocean-monitoring satellite, showcasing Rocket Lab's capability in diverse satellite launch services.
- Technological Innovation Showcase: The mission featured a demonstration satellite for ultra-small multispectral cameras and a deployable antenna designed using origami techniques, capable of unfurling to 25 times its size, highlighting the company's leadership in aerospace technology innovation.
- Future Mission Planning: Rocket Lab plans to conduct additional commercial Earth observation, space technology demonstrations, and national security launches in 2026, indicating its ongoing growth potential and responsiveness to market demands in the aerospace sector.
See More
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- Military Partnership: Redwire has established a multi-year partnership with the U.S. military to support active service members, veterans, and their families through community events and recognition programs, reinforcing its position as a global leader in defense technology.
- Order Growth: The company secured a follow-on $20 million order from the Navy and Marine Corps for the delivery of 'Stalker Block 30' unmanned aerial systems, a deal that is particularly significant amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, potentially enhancing its competitiveness in the defense market.
- International Expansion: Recently, Redwire won a contract from the European Space Agency to deliver a quantum-secure spacecraft and opened a new office in the U.K. to support collaboration with the British defense ministry, showcasing its strategic positioning in international markets.
- Strong Stock Performance: Redwire's stock surged over 20% in April and gained over 11% on Wednesday, reflecting market optimism regarding its potential listing plans with SpaceX, while retail investor interest has significantly increased, indicating a bullish sentiment around the stock.
See More
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- Strong Stock Performance: Textron and Huntington Ingalls have seen their stock prices rise over 38% and 79%, respectively, while Rocket Lab's stock has soared more than 352%, reflecting strong market confidence and investment enthusiasm in the defense sector.
- Robust Revenue Growth: Textron reported revenue of $14.8 billion in 2025, an 8% increase, and expects to reach $15.5 billion in 2026, indicating strong demand in aviation and next-generation electric vertical-lift products.
- Massive Backlogs: Huntington Ingalls boasts a backlog of $53.1 billion, more than five times its annual revenue, primarily from long-term construction projects for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, ensuring stable revenue streams for years to come.
- Diversified Strategic Positioning: Rocket Lab holds $816 million in contracts for 18 satellites under its space systems backlog, with its medium-lift rocket Neutron scheduled for its first launch in late 2026, further solidifying its role as a bridge between national security and commercial space infrastructure.
See More
Surge in Defense Demand Drives Stock Growth for Major Contractors
- Textron Order Growth: Textron reported $14.8 billion in revenue for 2025, an 8% increase, and anticipates $15.5 billion in 2026, primarily driven by the U.S. Army's MV-75 program, ensuring a stable revenue stream for the long term.
- Huntington Ingalls Order Stability: Huntington Ingalls has a total backlog of $53.1 billion as of 2025, more than five times its current annual revenue of $12.5 billion, with plans to further reduce this backlog through a targeted 15% increase in shipbuilding throughput.
- Rocket Lab Business Expansion: Rocket Lab's backlog reached $1.85 billion by the end of 2025, mainly from space systems contracts, with the upcoming Neutron rocket launch in late 2026 expected to provide a reliable revenue stream, bridging defense and commercial space sectors.
- Long-term Strategic Positioning: The investment strategies of Textron, Huntington Ingalls, and Rocket Lab indicate that while geopolitical volatility in the Middle East offers short-term benefits, their revenue sources are anchored in deep, multiyear structural cycles, ensuring sustained growth in the future.
See More
