Rocket Lab Soars 14% on Wave of New Launch Deals

Rocket Lab stock climbed 14% this week, fueled by a string of new launch contracts that underscore its growing momentum in the competitive space technology sector. While shares were flat Friday, they’ve surged nearly 40% over two weeks and are up more than 150% year-to-date, trading near fresh highs.

The company announced two upcoming missions with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) — one slated for December and another in 2026. Earlier this week, Rocket Lab also revealed a multi-launch agreement with Japan’s Q-shu Pioneers of Space, complementing four previously contracted missions.

Late last month, Rocket Lab expanded its partnership with Synspective, adding 10 new launch missions for a total of 21, with the next liftoff expected later this month.

The company’s stock volatility may be partly attributed to short covering, as nearly 14% of its float was sold short at the end of September, forcing bearish traders to buy shares to limit losses.

Investor enthusiasm in the space industry is also surging, with the U.S. government approving more funding and contracts. Meanwhile, several private players — including Firefly Aerospace, Voyager Technologies, and Karman Holdings — have recently gone public, signaling accelerating growth in the commercial space race long dominated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.