Overview
- Rocket Lab said the Neutron “Hungry Hippo” fairing completed qualification, including tests to 275,000 pounds of force and 1.5‑second open–close cycles, and is now headed to Wallops Island for integration at Launch Complex 3.
- The company continues to target Neutron’s first launch in 2026, with CEO Peter Beck previously indicating initial hardware arrival at Wallops in January and liftoff once testing is finished.
- RKLB shares have climbed more than 100% year to date and recently traded around $51, helped by broader space enthusiasm tied to reports of SpaceX’s $800 billion valuation and coverage of Sam Altman exploring a rocket-company tie‑up.
- Third‑quarter results set company records with about $155 million in revenue, improved gross margin, 17 Electron contracts signed in the quarter, and a roughly $1.05 billion backlog.
- Rocket Lab updated the JAXA RAISE‑4 Electron mission window to no earlier than Dec. 12 after weather and extra checkouts, as analysts highlight the firm’s reported 97% U.S. small‑launch share and raise targets to $60–$83 with a Moderate Buy consensus.