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Can Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Component Business Support Growth?

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Key Takeaways

  • RKLB leverages acquisitions to expand its spacecraft component manufacturing and engineering capabilities.
  • RKLB supplies spacecraft components to commercial and government customers beyond its missions.
  • RKLB's component portfolio spans reaction wheels, star trackers, radios, batteries and optical systems.

Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB - Free Report) is expanding its space system business by developing and manufacturing a broader range of spacecraft components for its platforms and the wider space market. Its portfolio includes reaction wheels, star trackers, radios, separation systems, solar solutions, command and control software, high-voltage space-grade batteries and optical systems. This expanding product base allows Rocket Lab to participate in spacecraft development beyond launch services.

The company's component strategy is supported by a series of acquisitions that have added specialized manufacturing and engineering capabilities. Rocket Lab has integrated businesses, including Sinclair Interplanetary, Planetary Systems, SolAero Technologies, Advanced Solutions and GEOST, into its broader space system platform. These acquisitions have expanded its ability to manufacture critical spacecraft components and provide related software and services.

Rocket Lab is also targeting the broader merchant spacecraft market rather than limiting these products to its missions. Its vertically integrated capabilities enable the company to manufacture components at scale while supporting spacecraft programs across commercial and government customers. This approach can create opportunities to supply multiple spacecraft platforms without requiring Rocket Lab to provide the launch service itself.

A broader spacecraft component portfolio could provide Rocket Lab with additional avenues for growth as satellite programs become more complex, and demand for specialized space hardware increases. By combining component manufacturing, spacecraft development and mission services, the company is building a larger role within the space supply chain while diversifying beyond its traditional launch business.

Companies Expanding Spacecraft Component Capabilities

Growing satellite deployments are driving demand for specialized spacecraft hardware and integrated systems. Companies like Redwire Corporation (RDW - Free Report) and Karman Holdings Inc. (KRMN - Free Report) are also developing and supplying technologies used across spacecraft and aerospace platforms.

Redwire provides spacecraft structures, solar arrays, avionics and other space infrastructure technologies.

Karman Holdings develops structural components for launch vehicles and satellites, including composite structures and other space infrastructure components.

Earnings Estimates for RKLB Stock

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share suggests year-over-year growth of 81.48% and 240%, respectively.

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RKLB Stock Is Trading at a Premium

Rocket Lab is trading at a premium relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-sales of 32.02X compared with the industry average of 7.81X.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RKLB Stock Price Performance

Over the past year, RKLB shares have rallied 30% compared with the industry’s 3.6% growth.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RKLB’s Zacks Rank

Rocket Lab currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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