** Shares of space company Rocket Lab RKLB.O up 2.5% at $63.03 premarket

** RKLB says it has launched its first dedicated mission for Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

** Co says the “RAISE And Shine” mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on December 14, 2025 at 03:09 UTC

** Mission was to deploy agency’s RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-4 (RAISE-4) spacecraft, co says

** RKLB says mission was the first of two dedicated missions for JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program

** Up to last close, RKLB had more than doubled YTD

(Reporting by Arnav Mishra in Bengaluru)

((Arnav.Mishra@thomsonreuters.com;))