Rocket Lab Corp. (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares rose more than 5% in Thursday premarket trading.
The move followed a 20-launch Electron agreement with Japan’s Synspective, expanding the relationship to 47 missions and pushing Rocket Lab’s launch backlog above 100.
Rocket Lab Wins Record Electron Contract
The multi-year agreement, announced on Wednesday, brings Synspective’s total Electron bookings to 47 missions, the most of any Rocket Lab customer. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Rocket Lab will launch 20 StriX synthetic aperture radar satellites into sun-synchronous orbit from Launch Complex 1 between 2028 and 2031.
The missions will support Synspective’s Earth-observation constellation, designed to image locations worldwide within hours, including at night and through adverse weather.
The agreement pushes Rocket Lab’s launch backlog above 100 missions following several multi-launch contracts announced this year.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck called the deal a “massive vote of confidence” in Electron’s launch cadence, mission reliability and orbital precision.
Iridium Deal And Launch Cadence Advance
The Synspective contract adds to a busy stretch for Rocket Lab across M&A and launch execution.
On Sept. 24, about 99.6% of Iridium shareholders approved Rocket Lab’s proposed $8 billion acquisition.
Earlier in September, Rocket Lab raised $1.94 billion through an at-the-market equity offering and terminated a $3.6 billion bridge facility ahead of the targeted mid-2027 closing.
Rocket Lab also completed four Electron missions in September. Its Sept. 25 flight marked the company’s 97th Electron mission and 18th launch of 2026, carrying Synspective’s 13th StriX satellite into low Earth orbit.
RKLB Technical Picture Remains Mixed
Rocket Lab trades 7.4% above its 20-day simple moving average of $66.93 and 3.1% above its 50-day average of $69.67.
However, shares remain 18.2% below the 100-day average of $87.79 and 11.6% below the 200-day average of $81.28.
RSI stands at 51.78, indicating neutral momentum.
The 20-day average remains below the 50-day average, while the 50-day average remains below the 200-day average following an August death cross.
Key resistance sits near $78.50, with additional resistance around the 200-day average at $81.28. Key support stands near $61.
Earnings And Analyst Outlook
Rocket Lab’s next earnings report is set for Nov. 9, 2026 (estimated).
Wall Street expects a loss of 6 cents per share, compared with a 3-cent loss a year earlier. Revenue is estimated at $238.53 million, up from $155.05 million.
RKLB carries a Buy consensus rating with an average price target of $114.
Raymond James initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and an $80 target on Sept. 11.
BofA Securities maintained a Buy rating and lowered its target to $110 on Aug. 31, while Citizens maintained a Market Outperform rating and a $130 target on Aug. 11.
RKLB Stock Price
RKLB Stock Price Activity: Rocket Lab shares are trading higher by 4.15% at $72.57 during premarket trading on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Image via Shutterstock
