#rocket-lab

#rocket-lab

Rocket Lab's revenue grew 64 per cent, its stock hit a record high, and its backlog reached 2.2 billion dollars. The company sold more launches in the first quarter of 2026 than in the entire previous year. The only thing that has not launched yet is the rocket the market is pricing in.

This will be Rocket Lab's fourth hypersonic test mission for the military in under six months, deploying the DART AE hypersonic demonstrator drone from Australia's Hypersonix Launch Systems. The quick cadence of these flights shows how Rocket Lab is helping accelerate the U.S. military's hypersonic capabilities, while quickly establishing its role as the defense industry's go-to launch partner for next-generation technology.

Despite yesterday's pullback in gold, we have to remember that growing geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty, expectations of further interest rate cuts, a weak dollar, and strong interest from central banks could send gold prices screaming even higher. In fact, as we noted just yesterday, Bank of America is targeting $5,000 by 2026. JPMorgan is targeting $5,055. HSBC analysts are targeting $5,000 by early 2026, too.

"There are also two name plates (one in blue and one in gold) on each spacecraft listing Rocket Lab team members who've contributed to the mission, making it possible to get to Mars," said McLaurin. Mounted on the solar panels, the plaques use shading to also display the Latin initials (NSHO) of the Rocket Lab motto and form the company's logo. Despite their diminutive size, each plate appears to include more than 200 names, including founder, president, and CEO Peter Beck.

Rocket Lab's second-quarter results showcase how the space systems business is driving its revenues, accounting for $97.9 million of $144.5 million total revenue.