Latest news with #Neutron
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Could this California company challenge SpaceX's Falcon 9? What to know about Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab has increasingly been in the news over mounting anticipation for the first launch of its upcoming Neutron rocket. Rocket Lab, a spaceflight company based in California, has spent years building up a reputation as a reliable launch service provider for small satellites. Now, though, the venture has its sights set on bigger targets: Procuring some of those lucrative government and commercial contracts that have long been the domain of Elon Musk's Texas-based SpaceX. Maybe you've heard about Rocket Lab's diminutive Electron launch vehicle, which the company bills as the second-most active rocket in the U.S. Or maybe you've heard about its next-generation Neutron spacecraft, which could soon be making its inaugural flight from Virginia. Whichever may be the case, here's everything to know for those interested in Rocket Lab and its future plans for spaceflight. What is Rocket Lab? Rocket Lab is a launch service provider and spaceflight company founded in 2006 and based in Long Beach, California. The company operates out of three launch pads at two launch sites, including one in New Zealand and two in Virginia at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Rocket Lab Neutron launch date Rocket Lab has increasingly been in the news over mounting anticipation for the first launch of its upcoming Neutron rocket. The satellite launch vehicle is central to Rocket Lab's plans to shift from small satellite deployments to missions with heavier payloads. But when exactly the Neutron rocket could make its orbital debut has yet to be determined. Rocket Lab continues to work through a checklist of requirements before Neutron can get off the ground for its maiden flight. That includes integrating – or stacking – the rocket stages and getting its commercial launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the company's first-quarter earnings presentation provided to the USA TODAY Network. The good news? Construction on infrastructure at the launch pad is on schedule, according to the report. Earlier in July, Rocket Lab also announced that the company had awarded a contract to shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards to support the build of a 400-foot ocean landing platform named "Return On Investment." But the challenge for Rocket Lab will be in transporting the components of the Neutron to the facility, according to the website TechCrunch. The vehicle must be shipped in segments to Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 3 in Virginia, where it will be fully mated as a rocket. Could Neutron challenge SpaceX, Falcon 9? Many space industry analysts have said that Neutron could emerge as a credible challenger to SpaceX's Falcon 9 in the medium-lift launch market. Rocket Lab is developing the Neutron rocket – which already has contracts with the Department of Defense – for commercial, civil and military space operations. That includes satellite constellation deployments, cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station and interplanetary missions. The arena is one that SpaceX, founded by billionaire Elon Musk in 2002, has dominated for years with its Falcon 9 rocket – one of the most active rockets in the world. The Falcon 9 is routinely the rocket of choice to launch NASA astronaut missions to the International Space Station and is the exclusive launch provider for Musk's Starlink satellite deliveries. At 141-feet-tall, Neutron is smaller in stature than SpaceX's two-stage, 230-foot Falcon 9. But like the Falcon 9, Neutron is designed to be reusable so that it can launch more frequently. Its design features an integrated system that brings Neutron's first stage and payload fairings back to Earth as a single stage. Capable of delivering about a 14-ton (more than 28,600 pounds) payload to low-Earth before landing, Neutron is powered by Rocket Lab's newly developed Archimedes engine. Rocket Lab's emergence also comes at a time of mounting public discord between Musk and President Donald Trump. What is Rocket Lab's Electron rocket? Rocket Lab has already spent years reliably launching its smaller Electron rocket to deliver small satellites and other payloads to orbit for civil and commercial contractors. At 59 feet tall, Electron is capable of carrying just 661 pounds of cargo to space, according to Rocket Lab. A version of the rocket is also tailored for Rocket Lab's hypersonic HASTE launches. One of the two launch complexes where Electron can launch is right next door to the Neutron's new launch complex. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, the Electron has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit and become one of the most frequently launched U.S. rockets, second only to the Falcon 9, according to Rocket Lab. In June alone, the Electron launched four times on both government and commercial missions, according to Rocket Lab. The most recent mission came June 28 when the Electron launched a single satellite to space for "a confidential commercial customer," Rocket Lab announced in a press release. The mission was the second of two launches from the same launch site in less than 48 hours, a new launch record for the company. Is Rocket Lab a good stock to buy? Whether to invest Unlike SpaceX, Rocket Lab is publicly traded. While Rocket Lab's stock is up 800% over the past year, according to Forbes, the company is not yet profitable. "A lot hinges on Rocket Lab's ability to evolve its revenue model and reach sustained profitability," Sasirekha Subramanian, an equity research content expert, wrote for Forbes. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Rocket Lab shares soar 800% despite multimillion-dollar losses
Greg Smith, head of retail at Devon Funds, said investors were looking past the lack of profitability, and there was a lot of momentum priced into its shares. 'But the company has been delivering. It is gaining huge credibility through deals with national space agencies and spending here has been ramping up. There's been the recent partnership agreed with the European Space Agency to launch satellites for constellation navigation before December. 'And there has been a string of successful launches. A rocket is being produced every 15 days, and [it has] successfully launched its 66th, 67th and 68th Electron rockets.' He said the company's upcoming, bigger Neutron medium-lift rocket was another driver of growth. If it was successful, it could unlock US$5.6 billion ($9.3b) in National Security Space Launch contracts. 'The company isn't profitable yet, so we can't really look at earnings multiples. Even to sales it is looking high at up to 10 times, but if it keeps delivering we might yet see more momentum.' Gertjan Verdickt, a lecturer of finance at the University of Auckland, said a significant portion of Rocket Lab's current valuation was based on the promise of a future that was 'both exciting and challenging to value'. 'How much will the space economy truly be worth in 10 or 20 years? How many applications will it lead to? It's difficult for anyone to grapple with. 'Because of that uncertainty, optimistic investors are willing to pay a very high price today for the potential of a massive payoff down the road. They see a leader in a burgeoning industry and don't want to miss out. 'This part of the valuation is precarious. A narrative of explosive growth and future dominance sustains it. 'If that optimism fades, even slightly, you could see a significant drop. That said, for anyone who got in early, a drop would still leave them with an amazing return.' Satellite launches, ESA deals, and a bigger Neutron rocket fuel Rocket Lab's rising credibility. Photo / RNZ He said the 'hype-driven' component of the share price made it fragile. 'If you think about it from a behavioural finance point of view, there is a lot of 'fear of missing out' going on too. 'If you missed the boat at 100%, 200% ... and you jump in late, the prices – because you are willing to buy – the stock price increases more. This leads to a momentum effect.' He said the other aspect of the share price was the company's cash flow. 'There is a real, tangible business generating real cash flows behind the stock price. 'Rocket Lab has already realised tremendous growth. Their revenue has increased significantly over the past few years, and they have a backlog of over $1 billion in signed contracts, providing a clear line of sight into future earnings. 'They have two core pillars of growth. First, their proven Electron rocket is a workhorse for the small satellite market. Second, and more importantly for the future, is their upcoming Neutron rocket, which is designed to compete with larger players like SpaceX for much bigger, more lucrative contracts. 'Additionally, they're not just a launch company. Their Space Systems division - which builds satellite components and platforms - is their biggest revenue driver. They are strategically building an end-to-end space company, and their pending acquisition of the company Mynaric is another step in that direction.' When it came to whether the 800% increase was sustainable, the level of share price was probably not, he said. 'Unless the company's growth potential is even better than what people are currently thinking. 'However, the underlying business growth is there. There is a very real and rapidly growing company here. The ultimate test will be whether its fundamental performance can grow fast enough to justify the market's sky-high expectations. That said, if the balloon pops, it can go real fast, real quick.'
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
What's going on with Rocket Lab shares?
Photo: RNZ/ Nate McKinnon Rocket Lab may be recording multi-million-dollar losses, but its share price keeps on going up. Shares in the New Zealand-founded space company have risen more than 800 percent in the past year, to just under US$50 each. In August last year, they were changing hands for less than US$5. In its 2024 financial year, the company recorded a loss of US$33 million to US$35m, from record annual revenue of US$436.2m. Greg Smith, head of retail at Devon Funds, said investors were looking past the lack of profitability, and there was a lot of momentum priced in to its shares. "But the company has been delivering. It is gaining huge credibility through deals with national space agencies and spending here has been ramping up. There's been the recent partnership agreed with the European Space Agency to launch satellites for constellation navigation before December. "And there has been a string of successful launches. A rocket is being produced every 15 days, and [it has] successfully launched its 66th, 67th and 68th Electron rockets." He said the company's upcoming, bigger Neutron medium-lift rocket was another driver of growth. If it was successful, it could unlock US$5.6 billion in National Security Space Launch contracts. "The company isn't profitable yet, so we can't really look at earnings multiples. Even to sales it is looking high at up to 10 times, but if it keeps delivering we might yet see more momentum." Gretjan Verdickt, a lecturer of finance at the University of Auckland, said a significant portion of Rocket Lab's current valuation was based on the promise of a future that was "both exciting and challenging to value". "How much will the space economy truly be worth in 10 or 20 years? How many applications will it lead to? It's difficult for anyone to grapple with. Because of that uncertainty, optimistic investors are willing to pay a very high price today for the potential of a massive payoff down the road. They see a leader in a burgeoning industry and don't want to miss out. "This part of the valuation is precarious. A narrative of explosive growth and future dominance sustains it. If that optimism fades, even slightly, you could see a significant drop. That said, for anyone who got in early, a drop would still leave them with an amazing return." He said the "hype-driven" component of the share price made it fragile. "If you think about it from a behavioural finance point of view, there is a lot of 'fear of missing out' going on too. If you missed the boat at 100 percent, 200 percent... and you jump in late, the prices - because you are willing to buy - the stock price increases more. This leads to a momentum effect." He said the other aspect of the share price was the company's cash flow. "There is a real, tangible business generating real cash flows behind the stock price. "Rocket Lab has already realised tremendous growth. Their revenue has increased significantly over the past few years, and they have a backlog of over $1 billion in signed contracts, providing a clear line of sight into future earnings. "They have two core pillars of growth. First, their proven Electron rocket is a workhorse for the small satellite market. Second, and more importantly for the future, is their upcoming Neutron rocket, which is designed to compete with larger players like SpaceX for much bigger, more lucrative contracts. "Additionally, they're not just a launch company. Their Space Systems division - which builds satellite components and platforms - is their biggest revenue driver. They are strategically building an end-to-end space company, and their pending acquisition of the company Mynaric is another step in that direction." When it came to whether the 800 percent increase was sustainable, the level of share price was probably not, he said. "Unless the company's growth potential is even better than what people are currently thinking. However, the underlying business growth is there. There is a very real and rapidly growing company here. The ultimate test will be whether its fundamental performance can grow fast enough to justify the market's sky-high expectations. That said, if the balloon pops, it can go real fast, real quick."
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
What's really going on with Rocket Lab shares?
Photo: RNZ/ Nate McKinnon Rocket Lab may be recording multi-million-dollar losses, but its share price keeps on going up. Shares in the New Zealand-founded space company have risen more than 800 percent in the past year, to just under US$50 each. In August last year, they were changing hands for less than US$5. In its 2024 financial year, the company recorded a loss of US$33 million to US$35m, from record annual revenue of US$436.2m. Greg Smith, head of retail at Devon Funds, said investors were looking past the lack of profitability, and there was a lot of momentum priced in to its shares. "But the company has been delivering. It is gaining huge credibility through deals with national space agencies and spending here has been ramping up. There's been the recent partnership agreed with the European Space Agency to launch satellites for constellation navigation before December. "And there has been a string of successful launches. A rocket is being produced every 15 days, and [it has] successfully launched its 66th, 67th and 68th Electron rockets." He said the company's upcoming, bigger Neutron medium-lift rocket was another driver of growth. If it was successful, it could unlock US$5.6 billion in National Security Space Launch contracts. "The company isn't profitable yet, so we can't really look at earnings multiples. Even to sales it is looking high at up to 10 times, but if it keeps delivering we might yet see more momentum." Gretjan Verdickt, a lecturer of finance at the University of Auckland, said a significant portion of Rocket Lab's current valuation was based on the promise of a future that was "both exciting and challenging to value". "How much will the space economy truly be worth in 10 or 20 years? How many applications will it lead to? It's difficult for anyone to grapple with. Because of that uncertainty, optimistic investors are willing to pay a very high price today for the potential of a massive payoff down the road. They see a leader in a burgeoning industry and don't want to miss out. "This part of the valuation is precarious. A narrative of explosive growth and future dominance sustains it. If that optimism fades, even slightly, you could see a significant drop. That said, for anyone who got in early, a drop would still leave them with an amazing return." He said the "hype-driven" component of the share price made it fragile. "If you think about it from a behavioural finance point of view, there is a lot of 'fear of missing out' going on too. If you missed the boat at 100 percent, 200 percent... and you jump in late, the prices - because you are willing to buy - the stock price increases more. This leads to a momentum effect." He said the other aspect of the share price was the company's cash flow. "There is a real, tangible business generating real cash flows behind the stock price. "Rocket Lab has already realised tremendous growth. Their revenue has increased significantly over the past few years, and they have a backlog of over $1 billion in signed contracts, providing a clear line of sight into future earnings. "They have two core pillars of growth. First, their proven Electron rocket is a workhorse for the small satellite market. Second, and more importantly for the future, is their upcoming Neutron rocket, which is designed to compete with larger players like SpaceX for much bigger, more lucrative contracts. "Additionally, they're not just a launch company. Their Space Systems division - which builds satellite components and platforms - is their biggest revenue driver. They are strategically building an end-to-end space company, and their pending acquisition of the company Mynaric is another step in that direction." When it came to whether the 800 percent increase was sustainable, the level of share price was probably not, he said. "Unless the company's growth potential is even better than what people are currently thinking. However, the underlying business growth is there. There is a very real and rapidly growing company here. The ultimate test will be whether its fundamental performance can grow fast enough to justify the market's sky-high expectations. That said, if the balloon pops, it can go real fast, real quick."
Gizmodo
5 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Rocket Lab Has Some Genuine Competition for SpaceX, but It Can't Reach the Launchpad
California-based startup Rocket Lab is looking to compete with industry leader SpaceX with its upcoming launch vehicle, Neutron. But before it can debut its reusable rocket later this year, the company has to figure out a way to transport Neutron's components to the southern tip of Wallops Island in Virginia. Rocket Lab is awaiting approval to dredge a permanent channel to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, a spaceport surrounded by shallow waters and scarce infrastructure, TechCrunch reported. The company is racing to meet its deadline for Neutron's inaugural liftoff in September, but the rocket still needs to go through final preparations on its launchpad before it can launch, and it has to make it onto the island first. Stuck in the mud, Rocket Lab is contemplating an old-timey sailing technique known as kedging. The Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority operates MARS, a commercial launch site, in partnership with NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. The site represents an ideal alternative to Cape Canaveral in Florida, which is experiencing increased congestion due to the steadily rising number of rocket launches. Rocket Lab began constructing its second launch site, called Launch Complex-2, for its Electron rocket in 2019, which has so far carried out four missions from its Virginia launchpad. In 2023, Rocket Lab began construction of a new launch site for its Neutron rocket, Launch Complex 3. Rocket Lab has already spent millions on Launch Complex 3, and it plans on spending another $5 million or so to dredge Sloop Gut, a channel in Accomack County, Virginia, that serves as a navigation route on Wallops Island. The company wants to remove sediment from the channel and dredge around 5,300 feet (1,615 meters), deepening it to 7 feet (2 meters) below the water to accommodate large barges carrying its rocket components to the island. Its request was approved by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in May, but the company is still waiting for the green light from the Army Corps of Engineers, according to TechCrunch. In the meantime, Rocket Lab is asking federal regulators for permission to use a technique called kedging, which involves using a series of anchors to haul a ship across shallow water. The company hopes the method will help transport Neutron's rocket parts in time for a launch this year. In case its request isn't approved in time, Rocket Lab suggests it can use ramps and cranes to transport Neutron's hardware across the waters or use a boat ramp. The clock is ticking for Rocket Lab to launch its Neutron rocket on time, a medium-lift launch vehicle capable of launching 13 metric tons to low Earth orbit. Neutron is Rocket Lab's answer to SpaceX's Falcon 9 (which can launch up to 22 metric tons to low Earth orbit), hoping to provide the industry with an alternative to sending satellites to space.
