Why Is Rocket Lab Stock Rising Today?

Rocket Lab Corp. (RKLB) announced on Friday that it has secured a pair of dedicated launch agreements with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), signaling continued international trust in its Electron launch vehicle for delivering satellites to orbit. 

The missions, both set to launch from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand-based Launch Complex 1, will support JAXA’s Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. The first launch, expected to occur in December 2025, will carry the agency’s RAISE-4 satellite into orbit to showcase eight experimental technologies from a mix of Japanese academic institutions and private-sector firms. 

After the announcement, Rocket Lab stock traded over 6% higher and was the second-most trending equity ticker on Stocktwits. Retail sentiment around the stock remained in ‘bullish’ territory amid ‘high’ message volume levels. 

Rocket Lab’s second launch for JAXA is slated for 2026 and will serve as a rideshare mission. That flight will carry a collection of eight payloads, including educational satellites, an ocean-monitoring system, and a technology demonstration of an origami-inspired deployable antenna capable of expanding 25-fold once in space.

“Japanese satellite operators have long turned to Electron for its reliability and responsiveness since its earliest launches - whether its constellation-building for Japan’s new wave of commercial satellite operators, or bespoke missions requiring responsive mission planning and highly-accurate payload deployment,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck.

On Wednesday, the launch services provider also signed a multi-launch deal with the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space. 

Rocket Lab stock has gained over 178% year-to-date and 656% in the last 12 months. 

Also See: AST SpaceMobile Stock Hits All-Time High As Investor Interest Around Its Partnerships Surges

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