"Rocket Lab ( NASDAQ:RKLB ) disclosed last night that qualification testing of the Stage 1 tank for its Neutron medium-lift rocket resulted in a rupture during a hydrostatic pressure trial. The company stated there was no significant damage to test structures or facilities, and the next Stage 1 tank is already in production. It said that testing failures occur during qualification to validate structural integrity and safety margins."
"Rocket Lab's shares have surged over 170% in the past year and more than 1,300% over the last three years, driven by its position as the second most successful space company after SpaceX. Investors have bet on the company's ability to maintain high valuations through growth in launch services and space systems. This performance stems from Rocket Lab's record backlog exceeding $2 billion, including an $816 million satellite contract,"
"In addition to its commercial business, Rocket Lab has also supported NASA's Artemis program , which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence. In 2022, the company launched the CAPSTONE CubeSat mission on its Electron rocket from New Zealand. CAPSTONE tested a near-rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon, the same intended for NASA's Gateway space station, which will serve as a staging point"
A Stage 1 Neutron tank ruptured during a hydrostatic qualification test, with no significant damage to facilities and a replacement tank already in production. The company noted that qualification testing can produce failures used to validate structural margins and is reviewing test data to determine schedule impact, with an update planned for the fourth-quarter earnings call in February. Shares fell 5.5% on the news, raising investor concerns about Neutron debut timing. Rocket Lab nonetheless carries a record backlog above $2 billion, strong Electron launch cadence, and prior contributions to NASA's Artemis efforts including the CAPSTONE mission.
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]