** Shares of rocket maker Rocket Lab USA RKLB.O rise 8.3% to $19.95 after the bell
** U.S. Space Force on Thursday awarded contracts to RKLB and Stoke Space to expand its portfolio of launch systems for critical space capability
** Both companies will receive a $5 million order each to conduct "initial capabilities assessment and develop their approach to tailored mission assurance"
** Up to last close, RKLB had fallen 27.7% YTD
(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City)
((Juby.Babu@thomsonreuters.com;))