Rocket Lab edges up as SpaceX reportedly turns down three military launches
Citing Politico via Stocktwits, SpaceX declined three military satellite launch missions. Rocket Lab shares rose 0.5% overnight.
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what happened
Shares of Rocket Lab (RKLB) gained 0.5% overnight after Politico reported, as relayed by Stocktwits, that SpaceX had declined to offer launch services for three military satellite missions. The missions drew no competing bids, and two of them reportedly involve the Space Development Agency's communications and missile-tracking constellation. Details and launch dates for the third mission remain unclear.
The Pentagon's limited options stem partly from rivals' setbacks. United Launch Alliance's Vulcan is grounded after booster problems, and Blue Origin's New Glenn was sidelined by a May launchpad explosion. According to the report, SpaceX handled 85% of U.S. launches in 2025.
Rocket Lab is still developing Neutron, its reusable medium-lift rocket, whose debut has slipped to 2027 because of manufacturing defects. The next Electron flight, its 98th, is scheduled for Friday at 3 a.m. Eastern time.
why it matters
For markets, the bigger story is the squeeze on launch capacity: demand is outpacing available rockets, which could support interest in Rocket Lab while investors wait for Neutron. The stock is down 27% year to date, so its moves still hinge on development timelines and launch news.
tags
instruments
sources
- RKLB Stock Edges Up Overnight As SpaceX Passes On 3 Military Missions; Rocket Lab Speeds Up Testing — Stocktwits, 23 October 2026 at 03:58 UTC
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