Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB), a leading aerospace manufacturer and launch services provider based in Long Beach, CA, is set to significantly benefit from a projected $185 billion U.S. military defense project called “Golden Dome,” inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome. The project aims to establish a space-based defense system against hypersonic and ballistic threats, with Rocket Lab playing a crucial role by providing necessary sensor layers and satellites. The defense initiative is expected to be operational by the end of the decade.
As of the fourth quarter of 2025, Rocket Lab’s backlog stands at $1.85 billion, with revenue projected to grow from under $100 million in 2021 to an estimated $1.2 billion by 2027. The company launched 21 missions in the previous year, maintaining a 100% success rate. Additionally, it plans to debut its medium-lift, reusable rocket, “Neutron,” in 2026, designed to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
On Thursday, RKLB shares surged, breaking out from a multi-month base, with trading volume reaching 175% above the 50-day average. With upcoming developments like the SpaceX IPO, expected to be valued at $1.75 trillion, the market is anticipating substantial growth and valuation increases for Rocket Lab.
