Rocket Lab Secures $816 Million Satellite Contract
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 02 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RKLB?
Source: Fool
- Contract Milestone: The U.S. Space Development Agency awarded Rocket Lab an $816 million contract to design and manufacture 18 missile-defense satellites, marking the company's largest single contract to date and potentially driving its stock to new heights in 2023.
- Launch Capability: Rocket Lab's flagship Electron rocket has successfully launched 81 times, deploying over 248 satellites, with plans to increase its launch frequency to 21 times annually by 2025, showcasing its strong competitive position in the small satellite launch market.
- Strategic Expansion: Rocket Lab is expanding its Photon satellite platform and accelerating laser communication technology development through the acquisition of Mynaric, aiming to become an
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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: 132.550
Low
63.00
Averages
86.89
High
120.00
Current: 132.550
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 Stock Hits All-Time High
- Outstanding Stock Performance: Rocket Lab's stock has surged over 30% following its latest earnings report, reaching an all-time high, indicating strong market confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Significant Earnings Impact: The positive results from the latest earnings report not only propelled the stock price but may also attract more investor attention, potentially enhancing the company's market valuation further.
- Future Growth Potential: Analysts highlight that Rocket Lab's ongoing innovation and expansion in the space launch market will be key drivers for further stock price increases, especially against the backdrop of rising demand in commercial space ventures.
- Optimistic Market Sentiment: As the stock continues to rise, investor sentiment remains broadly optimistic, which could lead to increased capital inflows, further driving the stock price upward and creating a positive feedback loop.
See More
Rocket Lab vs AST SpaceMobile Q1 Earnings Comparison
- Rocket Lab's Strong Performance: Rocket Lab reported a 63.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $200 million in Q1, achieving a gross margin of 38.2%, although operating costs rose 40.4%, resulting in a loss of $0.07 per share, which is an improvement from last year's $0.12 loss, indicating competitive strength in the rapidly growing space market.
- Optimistic Future Guidance: Rocket Lab expects Q2 revenue to grow by 20% sequentially, with gross margins projected to decline to 33%-35%; analysts predict continued losses in the upcoming quarters, but a narrowing to $0.27 per share by 2026, reflecting a gradual path toward profitability.
- AST SpaceMobile's Disappointing Results: AST SpaceMobile reported a Q1 loss of $0.66 per share, significantly worse than the expected $0.21 loss, with revenue at only $14.7 million, missing the $37.5 million target, despite a 20-fold year-over-year growth, as operating costs surged 158%, increasing cash flow pressures.
- Cash Burn Concerns: AST SpaceMobile's cash burn reached $327.4 million in Q1, with an annual forecast of $1.8 billion; if this rate continues, it risks depleting much of its $3.5 billion cash reserves by year-end, posing significant financial challenges ahead.
See More
U.S. Defense Budget Soars, Benefiting Defense Stocks
- Defense Budget Surge: The U.S. defense budget surpassed $1 trillion in 2023, with projections of reaching $1.5 trillion in 2024, reflecting a strong focus on modernization and military rebuilding, which is expected to drive up related defense stocks.
- RTX's Market Position: As one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies, RTX is well-positioned to benefit from the $24.4 billion 'Golden Dome' initiative by providing layered defense solutions, thereby solidifying its market position amid rising defense budgets.
- Honeywell's Spin-off Strategy: Honeywell is undergoing a massive transformation by spinning off its aerospace segment into an independent company, which is expected to unlock value for investors, especially with a $500 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to boost production of critical components.
- Rocket Lab's Contract Wins: Rocket Lab secured an $816 million prime contract to design and manufacture 18 missile-defense satellites, showcasing its strong growth potential in the defense sector, while reporting $200 million in revenue for Q1, exceeding market expectations and enhancing its market appeal.
See More
Rocket Lab's Q1 2026 Results Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Report: Rocket Lab reported Q1 2026 revenue of $200.4 million, exceeding analyst expectations of $189.7 million and setting a new quarterly sales record, indicating robust market demand and growth potential.
- Stock Surge: Following the earnings announcement, Rocket Lab's stock soared to an all-time high of $133.18 yesterday, reflecting a 25.7% increase from last Friday's close, showcasing investor optimism about the company's future.
- Analyst Rating Upgrades: Deutsche Bank raised its price target for Rocket Lab from $73 to $120, a 64% increase, while Clear Street initiated coverage with a buy rating and a $150 target, further boosting market confidence.
- Positive Future Outlook: Rocket Lab forecasts Q2 2026 revenue between $225 million and $240 million with a gross margin of 33% to 35%, indicating a strong growth trajectory in the expanding space economy.
See More
Rocket Lab Partners with RTX for $3.2 Billion Missile Defense Contract
- Contract Expansion: President Trump's $151 billion initiative has been expanded with a $3.2 billion umbrella contract aimed at developing space-based interceptor missiles to shoot down hostile threats, highlighting the strategic importance of U.S. defense initiatives.
- Competitive Landscape: Major U.S. defense players like General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX will compete for this contract, indicating a highly competitive market where companies must enhance their technological capabilities to secure contracts.
- Opportunity for Rocket Lab: By partnering with RTX for the SBI contract bid, Rocket Lab stands to gain significantly, as the potential contract value of $3.2 billion could represent up to 4.7 times its trailing 12-month sales of $680 million, which would greatly enhance its market position if successful.
- Strategic Collaboration: The partnership between RTX and Rocket Lab allows RTX to leverage Rocket Lab's Electron rocket capabilities, compensating for its lack of a dedicated space rocket platform, thereby strengthening its competitive edge in missile defense and indicating a mutually beneficial relationship.
See More
Trump Increases Holdings in ASTS and RKLB Stocks
- Trump's Trading Activity: Trump purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of ASTS shares on March 17 and $15,001 to $50,000 in RKLB stock on January 21, indicating confidence in both space firms and potentially attracting more investor interest.
- ASTS Performance Pressure: AST SpaceMobile reported a quarterly loss wider than Wall Street estimates in its latest earnings report, and while maintaining its full-year revenue outlook, concerns over manufacturing and launch execution risks may hinder its goal of deploying 45 satellites by year-end.
- RKLB Market Performance: Rocket Lab has emerged as one of Wall Street's biggest
See More
Rocket Lab Stock Hits All-Time High
- Outstanding Stock Performance: Rocket Lab's stock has surged over 30% following its latest earnings report, reaching an all-time high, indicating strong market confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Significant Earnings Impact: The positive results from the latest earnings report not only propelled the stock price but may also attract more investor attention, potentially enhancing the company's market valuation further.
- Future Growth Potential: Analysts highlight that Rocket Lab's ongoing innovation and expansion in the space launch market will be key drivers for further stock price increases, especially against the backdrop of rising demand in commercial space ventures.
- Optimistic Market Sentiment: As the stock continues to rise, investor sentiment remains broadly optimistic, which could lead to increased capital inflows, further driving the stock price upward and creating a positive feedback loop.
See More
Rocket Lab vs AST SpaceMobile Q1 Earnings Comparison
- Rocket Lab's Strong Performance: Rocket Lab reported a 63.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $200 million in Q1, achieving a gross margin of 38.2%, although operating costs rose 40.4%, resulting in a loss of $0.07 per share, which is an improvement from last year's $0.12 loss, indicating competitive strength in the rapidly growing space market.
- Optimistic Future Guidance: Rocket Lab expects Q2 revenue to grow by 20% sequentially, with gross margins projected to decline to 33%-35%; analysts predict continued losses in the upcoming quarters, but a narrowing to $0.27 per share by 2026, reflecting a gradual path toward profitability.
- AST SpaceMobile's Disappointing Results: AST SpaceMobile reported a Q1 loss of $0.66 per share, significantly worse than the expected $0.21 loss, with revenue at only $14.7 million, missing the $37.5 million target, despite a 20-fold year-over-year growth, as operating costs surged 158%, increasing cash flow pressures.
- Cash Burn Concerns: AST SpaceMobile's cash burn reached $327.4 million in Q1, with an annual forecast of $1.8 billion; if this rate continues, it risks depleting much of its $3.5 billion cash reserves by year-end, posing significant financial challenges ahead.
See More
U.S. Defense Budget Soars, Benefiting Defense Stocks
- Defense Budget Surge: The U.S. defense budget surpassed $1 trillion in 2023, with projections of reaching $1.5 trillion in 2024, reflecting a strong focus on modernization and military rebuilding, which is expected to drive up related defense stocks.
- RTX's Market Position: As one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies, RTX is well-positioned to benefit from the $24.4 billion 'Golden Dome' initiative by providing layered defense solutions, thereby solidifying its market position amid rising defense budgets.
- Honeywell's Spin-off Strategy: Honeywell is undergoing a massive transformation by spinning off its aerospace segment into an independent company, which is expected to unlock value for investors, especially with a $500 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to boost production of critical components.
- Rocket Lab's Contract Wins: Rocket Lab secured an $816 million prime contract to design and manufacture 18 missile-defense satellites, showcasing its strong growth potential in the defense sector, while reporting $200 million in revenue for Q1, exceeding market expectations and enhancing its market appeal.
See More
Rocket Lab's Q1 2026 Results Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Report: Rocket Lab reported Q1 2026 revenue of $200.4 million, exceeding analyst expectations of $189.7 million and setting a new quarterly sales record, indicating robust market demand and growth potential.
- Stock Surge: Following the earnings announcement, Rocket Lab's stock soared to an all-time high of $133.18 yesterday, reflecting a 25.7% increase from last Friday's close, showcasing investor optimism about the company's future.
- Analyst Rating Upgrades: Deutsche Bank raised its price target for Rocket Lab from $73 to $120, a 64% increase, while Clear Street initiated coverage with a buy rating and a $150 target, further boosting market confidence.
- Positive Future Outlook: Rocket Lab forecasts Q2 2026 revenue between $225 million and $240 million with a gross margin of 33% to 35%, indicating a strong growth trajectory in the expanding space economy.
See More
Rocket Lab Partners with RTX for $3.2 Billion Missile Defense Contract
- Contract Expansion: President Trump's $151 billion initiative has been expanded with a $3.2 billion umbrella contract aimed at developing space-based interceptor missiles to shoot down hostile threats, highlighting the strategic importance of U.S. defense initiatives.
- Competitive Landscape: Major U.S. defense players like General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX will compete for this contract, indicating a highly competitive market where companies must enhance their technological capabilities to secure contracts.
- Opportunity for Rocket Lab: By partnering with RTX for the SBI contract bid, Rocket Lab stands to gain significantly, as the potential contract value of $3.2 billion could represent up to 4.7 times its trailing 12-month sales of $680 million, which would greatly enhance its market position if successful.
- Strategic Collaboration: The partnership between RTX and Rocket Lab allows RTX to leverage Rocket Lab's Electron rocket capabilities, compensating for its lack of a dedicated space rocket platform, thereby strengthening its competitive edge in missile defense and indicating a mutually beneficial relationship.
See More
Trump Increases Holdings in ASTS and RKLB Stocks
- Trump's Trading Activity: Trump purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of ASTS shares on March 17 and $15,001 to $50,000 in RKLB stock on January 21, indicating confidence in both space firms and potentially attracting more investor interest.
- ASTS Performance Pressure: AST SpaceMobile reported a quarterly loss wider than Wall Street estimates in its latest earnings report, and while maintaining its full-year revenue outlook, concerns over manufacturing and launch execution risks may hinder its goal of deploying 45 satellites by year-end.
- RKLB Market Performance: Rocket Lab has emerged as one of Wall Street's biggest
See More
