Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) saw its shares surge 6.56% in a 24-hour period on Tuesday, as investors responded positively to the company's impressive third-quarter financial results and optimistic fourth-quarter guidance. The space launch and services provider demonstrated robust growth and operational progress, fueling investor confidence in its long-term prospects.

The company reported a smaller-than-expected loss of 3 cents per share for Q3, significantly beating Wall Street's forecast of a 10-cent loss. Revenue for the quarter reached a record $155 million, surpassing both analyst expectations of $151.8 million and the company's own guidance range of $145-155 million. This performance represents a substantial 48% year-over-year increase in revenue, highlighting Rocket Lab's accelerating growth trajectory.

Adding to the positive sentiment, Rocket Lab provided an encouraging outlook for the fourth quarter, projecting revenue between $170 million and $180 million, above the consensus estimate of $172 million. The company's CEO, Peter Beck, emphasized the strength of their momentum, citing progress across major space systems programs and a record backlog of launch contracts. Notably, Rocket Lab secured 17 new Electron launch contracts in Q3 alone, bringing its total backlog to 49 launches.

Investors were also enthused by Rocket Lab's strategic moves, including the completion of its acquisition of Geost, an electro-optical and infrared sensor maker. This acquisition, along with other initiatives, aligns well with next-generation defense programs and future space constellations, positioning the company for sustained growth in the evolving space industry landscape. As Rocket Lab approaches a new annual launch record and continues to diversify its offerings, the market appears increasingly optimistic about its potential to capitalize on the growing demand for commercial space services.