Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) saw its stock price surge by 7.94% during the post-market session, driven by significant contract wins and operational milestones. The company recently secured an up to $805 million prime contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency to build 18 missile-warning and tracking satellites, marking a pivotal shift toward becoming a vertically integrated national-security space contractor.

Additionally, Rocket Lab completed its STP-S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force five months ahead of schedule, further bolstering investor confidence. These developments highlight the company's growing credibility in the defense sector and its potential for long-term cash generation, despite ongoing challenges like high cash burn and project lumpiness.