Key Highlights
- RKLB shares climbed approximately 10%, regaining both 50-day and 20-day moving average levels after dropping roughly 27% from peak prices
- The aerospace company finalized its $155.3M purchase of Mynaric, securing laser optical communication technology and establishing its initial European operations
- Rocket Lab introduced “Gauss,” an electric propulsion system for satellites, featuring production capacity exceeding 200 units annually
- Citigroup elevated RKLB to Outperform status on April 14; Cantor Fitzgerald maintains an $85 target price
- The space industry ETF (UFO) has gained over 30% this year, partially driven by SpaceX IPO rumors
Rocket Lab experienced a flurry of activity recently. The California-based aerospace firm finalized a significant acquisition, introduced an innovative propulsion system, and secured an analyst rating boost — all contributing to a stock gain approaching 10%.
RKLB has surged more than 200% over the past twelve months, reaching a market capitalization near $40.7 billion. After retreating approximately 27% from its yearly peak, the stock has successfully recovered its 50-day and 20-day simple moving averages while holding firm above the 200-day SMA.
Market observers are focusing on the $78 threshold. Breaking above this level with momentum could trigger another upward movement.
Mynaric Deal Reaches Completion
On April 14, Rocket Lab finalized its purchase of Mynaric in a transaction valued at $155.3 million — structured through a modest cash payment plus approximately 2.28 million RKLB shares.
Mynaric specializes in laser optical communications terminals, a specialized yet increasingly essential component of satellite technology. This transaction establishes Rocket Lab’s inaugural European footprint while enhancing its capabilities to support both commercial satellite operators and defense sector clients.
The purchase represents another phase in Rocket Lab’s strategic evolution from pure launch provider to comprehensive space infrastructure company. The firm consistently identifies supply chain constraints in satellite manufacturing, then develops or acquires solutions to address those gaps.
Gauss Thruster Addresses Critical Supply Chain Challenge
The company’s second major announcement featured Gauss, an electric satellite propulsion system engineered for mass production. Electric propulsion has historically represented a supply chain vulnerability — dependable systems haven’t been accessible at volumes required by contemporary satellite constellation operators.
Gauss addresses this shortfall directly. Rocket Lab has established manufacturing infrastructure with annual capacity surpassing 200 thrusters. CEO Sir Peter Beck articulated the challenge succinctly: “Proliferated constellations are now the norm, but the propulsion systems needed to maneuver these spacecraft in orbit have simply not been reliably available at any kind of scale.”
The propulsion system comprises a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit, and Propellant Management Assembly. Operating on xenon fuel with krypton as a backup option, the design delivers superior specific impulse compared to chemical alternatives, enabling spacecraft to reduce fuel loads while sustaining performance during extended missions and station-keeping operations.
Engineering highlights include heaterless cathode technology enabling immediate activation, magnetic shielding minimizing component degradation, and GaNFet-based power electronics. The platform is ITAR/EAR-compliant for LEO constellation deployments.
Regarding analyst sentiment, Citigroup raised RKLB to Outperform on April 14. Cantor Fitzgerald confirmed its Overweight designation with an $85 price objective following the iQPS multi-launch contract news. The average rating among 17 analysts stands at Moderate Buy, with a consensus target of $79.85.
Rocket Lab recently concluded its at-the-market equity program, distributing 6.73 million shares generating approximately $474 million in gross proceeds. The company also executed collared forward agreements covering 7.45 million shares, anticipating proceeds between $474 million and $642 million.
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