RKLB, FLY Stocks Soar Premarket – This Analyst Says Space Sector Is Entering Busiest Era Since First Moon Landing

Intuitive Machines (LUNR) and Firefly Aerospace (FLY) shares rose 2% and 1% after NASA awarded them lunar lander contracts worth $148.3M and $144.2M, respectively, for the Artemis moon base project. The contracts are part of NASA's CLPS initiative to establish a permanent lunar outpost. Both stocks have gained significantly year-to-date, with LUNR up 41% and FLY up 28%.

Rocket Lab's shares rose 4% on Wednesday, poised for a second day of gains, after securing a $266M U.S. Air Force contract for 12 suborbital launches, with options for six more. The deal, for its HASTE suborbital rocket, runs through 2028. Stifel called the award a validation of HASTE's performance, maintaining a 'Buy' rating. Piper Sandler initiated coverage with a 'Neutral' rating and $83 target, preferring AST SpaceMobile. Rocket Lab's CEO aims to launch its Neutron rocket by year-end.

U.S. stock futures rose overnight, with Nasdaq 100 leading gains, as a $2B quantum computing investment by the Trump administration overshadowed Iran concerns. IBM and several quantum computing firms, including Rigetti (RGTI) and D-Wave (QBTS), saw significant stock gains. NIO also rose on strong earnings. Treasury yields dipped, while oil prices increased.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares rose 0.3% overnight after ARK Investment Management bought $12.8M worth of stock and Bank of America (BofA) maintained a 'Buy' rating with a $110 price target. Despite a Q2 adjusted loss of $0.08 per share, revenue grew 62% YoY to $234.07M. The company reported a record backlog of $2.36B and secured $437M in new bookings. However, RKLB stock fell 1% on Monday, marking three consecutive months of losses. The company delayed its next Electron mission due to weather conditi

Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock fluctuated in August, ending near its starting price. Despite recent successes, including a $12M Space Force contract and an $8B acquisition, investors seem to favor SpaceX (SPCX), which is up 30% in August. SpaceX leads in rocket launches, payload capacity, and reusable technology, with Starship targeting 10,000 launches annually. Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket is delayed, while SpaceX has multiple space ventures, including Starlink and lunar missions.

Iridium Communications Inc. is urging shareholders to vote on its proposed merger with Rocket Lab Corporation, set for September 24, 2026. The board unanimously recommends voting for the merger. Shareholders can vote via internet, phone, or proxy card. The definitive proxy statement and prospectus were filed with the SEC on August 26, 2026.