Rocket Lab Tackles a Supply Chain Bottleneck as the Stock Hunts for a Bottom. Time to Buy?

Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares fell in overnight trading after the company protested NASA's $700M contract award to Blue Origin for a Mars communications orbiter. Rocket Lab claims NASA's review was 'punitive' and violated competition rules. The contract requires delivery by Dec. 31, 2028, with operations starting by 2030. RKLB stock closed 2% higher at $62.95 on Friday but fell 2% for the week, marking its fifth consecutive weekly loss.

Micron (MU) hit a 52-week high of $956.16 after Barclays raised its price target to $1,175. Ford (F) reached $16.06 following preliminary approval for an industrial bank charter. Rocket Lab (RKLB) climbed to $151 after its missile defense solution cleared a key review. All three companies saw significant stock gains on the news.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) has acquired Iridium Communications (IRDM) for $8 billion, or $54 per share, in a cash-and-stock deal. The acquisition adds a subscription-based network to Rocket Lab's spacecraft manufacturing and launch services.

Rocket Lab protested NASA's $700M Mars orbiter contract awarded to Blue Origin, citing evaluation process concerns. Antares secured a $161M DoD contract for space nuclear power. Isar Aerospace reached orbit, becoming Europe's new operational launch provider. Canada and Ukraine signed a defense deal for drones and air defense systems. NASA invited bids for a US Space Academy, targeting a 2028 opening.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) joined the U.S. Space Force's $981M NITE-STAR program, allowing it to bid on contracts for military space test and training infrastructure. The company also secured a $266M contract for suborbital launches and a $397M deal for threat-tracking satellites. RKLB stock rose 0.4% after-hours, gaining 18% year-to-date.

Ark Invest's Cathie Wood invested $45 million in Rocket Lab (RKLB), a space company expanding beyond launches. Rocket Lab acquired Iridium Communications and other firms, and reported Q2 revenue of $234 million, up 62% YOY. Analysts see 73% upside with an average price target of $111.56.