Rocket Lab and Intuitive Machines stocks rise on NASA contracts and tech advances.

Rocket Lab's stock rose 9% after CEO Peter Beck cut his salary to $1, aligning his incentives with shareholders, and the company filed for its Neutron rocket launch permit, targeting a debut later this year. Rocket Lab reported strong revenue growth and expanded its tech with acquisitions and new propulsion systems. Intuitive Machines gained 6% following a $180 million NASA lunar contract and a major acquisition, boosting its backlog and revenue outlook despite some recent revenue misses. Both companies benefit from increased government spending on space infrastructure, with upcoming contracts and launches expected to drive further gains.