Rocket Lab wins $266M contract for 12 suborbital launches; shares rise after hours

Rocket Lab announced a major $266 million firm-fixed-price U.S. government contract for 12 suborbital launches, with an option for six more. The launches are set to occur from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska. The contract is a meaningful commercial win and should support revenue visibility and investor sentiment, helping explain the stock’s after-hours strength. The deal also underscores continued demand for Rocket Lab’s launch services and strengthens its position in government space contracts, a key driver for long-term growth expectations.