TLDR
- Rocket Lab stock climbed 5.1% Thursday after completing its second launch within 48 hours
- The company completed its 75th overall launch and 17th of 2025, breaking its annual record of 16 launches from 2024
- Stock is up 71% year-to-date and 116% over the past 12 months
- The company’s market value hit approximately $23 billion, trading at 26 times estimated 2026 sales of $880 million
- Rocket Lab is developing its larger Neutron rocket capable of carrying 15,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit
Rocket Lab stock jumped 5.1% Thursday morning to $45.82 as the space company completed another launch milestone. The gain followed the company’s “Follow My Speed” mission for a confidential commercial customer.
What made this launch stand out was timing. Rocket Lab completed it just 48 hours after its previous mission. The rapid turnaround from launch sites in different hemispheres shows the company’s operational capabilities.
Tuesday’s launch marked Rocket Lab’s 75th mission overall. It also represented the 17th launch of 2025, breaking the company’s annual record of 16 launches set in 2024. The latest mission pushed that total to 18 launches for the year.
The faster launch pace translates directly to revenue growth. Wall Street analysts expect 2026 sales of approximately $880 million. That’s up from the $600 million expected in 2025.
Rocket Lab operates two launch facilities. Launch Complex 1 sits in New Zealand. Launch Complex 2 operates in Virginia.
The Tuesday launch originated from Virginia. Thursday’s mission launched from New Zealand. This marks the third time in the past 12 months Rocket Lab has executed back-to-back launches within 48 hours.
Growing Demand for Launch Services
Thursday’s cargo flew on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. The Electron carries 300 kilograms to space. The vehicle ranks as the second-most heavily used rocket in the Western Hemisphere.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 still leads the market. The Falcon 9 has flown more than 140 times so far in 2025.
Rocket Lab is developing its Neutron rocket. The Neutron will carry 15,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The larger payload capacity should boost revenue per launch.
Stock Performance and Valuation
The stock performance reflects investor enthusiasm for commercial space opportunities. Many companies are racing to deploy communications and other satellites into orbit. Rocket Lab’s proven reliability positions it well to capture that demand.
Coming into Thursday’s trading, Rocket Lab stock was up 71% year-to-date. Over the past 12 months, shares have gained 116%.
The company’s market value reached approximately $23 billion. That values Rocket Lab at 26 times estimated 2026 sales.
The S&P 500 rose 1.6% Thursday while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.3%.
Rocket Lab’s “Follow My Speed” mission deployed a single satellite during a launch window that opened at 12:15 UTC on November 20.
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