Rocket Lab stock (RKLB) closed Thursday at $124.45, down 7% on the day. But the company came back swinging Friday morning, rising about 2% in premarket after landing a $90 million contract with the U.S. Space Force.
The deal is a new milestone for the company — its first operational geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite program. Rocket Lab will design, build, and operate two geostationary satellites carrying the Heimdall space domain awareness payload, which is designed to track objects in space and support defense monitoring.
Rocket Lab has been awarded a $90 million contract by the @USSpaceForce’s Space Systems Command @USSF_SSC to design, manufacture, integrate, and operate two geostationary satellites hosting the Heimdall space domain awareness payload produced by Rocket Lab Optical Systems.… pic.twitter.com/wEC681gc33
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 22, 2026
What makes this contract stand out is the scope. Rocket Lab isn’t just launching hardware for someone else — it’s serving as prime contractor, handling spacecraft manufacturing, payload integration, launch coordination, and on-orbit operations for up to five years.
The mission will also deploy a radar imaging satellite capable of capturing Earth images through clouds and at night.
This isn’t Rocket Lab’s first brush with defense work, but it’s arguably the most comprehensive to date. Earlier this year, the company secured contracts tied to hypersonic testing missions and future Neutron rocket launches.
The Space Force win deepens that relationship and shows Rocket Lab is being trusted with more complex, end-to-end missions — not just rides to orbit.
The premarket move also comes ahead of another Electron launch for Japanese earth-imaging company Synspective, giving investors two near-term catalysts to watch.
RKLB stock is up around 80% year-to-date and over 385% in the past 12 months. The stock’s run has been backed by a consistent flow of contracts and rising demand for launch services.
Rocket Lab’s backlog has now topped $2.2 billion, with more than 70 missions on the schedule. That pipeline provides solid near-term revenue visibility.
Investors are also watching the company’s reusable Neutron rocket, which is expected to have its first test launch later this year. Neutron is being positioned to handle heavier payloads and compete in a market currently dominated by larger launch providers.
On the analyst side, Wall Street has a Moderate Buy consensus on RKLB, based on 11 Buy ratings, four Holds, and no Sells over the past three months.
The average price target sits at $100.17 per share — roughly 20% below where the stock is currently trading.
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