Rocket Lab announced a delay in the first flight of its Neutron medium-lift reusable rocket to 2027 after discovering voids in the carbon composite layers of the propellant dome during manufacturing. While the flaw won't cause flight failure and has been resolved, testing will continue into early 2027, pushing back the launch schedule from the original late 2026 target. This delay impacts Rocket Lab's future revenue prospects as Neutron is key to its growth, unlike competitors SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile, whose stocks fell less sharply. The company remains optimistic about demand and backlog, but the delay extends cash burn and postpones expected cash-flow improvements tied to Neutron's successful launch.
As of Oct 15, 2026 20:22 WIB, Rocket Lab's stock on Pluang dropped sharply by 11.32% to USD 52.51, reflecting investor reaction to the delay in Neutron's first flight. In comparison, SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile saw smaller declines of 2.73% and 2.82% respectively, with SpaceX trading at USD 148.00 and AST SpaceMobile at USD 40.95. Despite the sell-off, Rocket Lab's market cap remains significant at $37.84 billion, highlighting its prominence in the industrial sector.
Rocket Lab announced a delay in the first launch of its Neutron reusable medium-lift rocket to 2027 due to manufacturing defects in a carbon-composite dome on the rocket's first-stage propellant tank. This delay pushed the stock down nearly 10% in af...
Rocket Lab Corporation announced a revised schedule for the inaugural launch of its Neutron medium-lift rocket, now expected in 2027. This update reflects adjustments in the development program for the Neutron launch vehicle, which aims to provide re...
AST SpaceMobile's stock dropped 8% after Piper Sandler downgraded it to Neutral and cut the price target to $54, citing concerns over the pace of satellite launches and rising competition from SpaceX. SpaceX, which is also AST's main launch provider,...
AST SpaceMobile's stock fell 9% following Piper Sandler's downgrade to Neutral, citing risks from SpaceX's expanding direct-to-cell satellite service that may limit launch availability and pressure pricing. Despite this, Deutsche Bank upgraded AST Sp...
AST SpaceMobile's stock jumped 4% after its next three BlueBird satellites reached Cape Canaveral, marking progress in its satellite deployment plan. The company aims to have about 45 satellites in orbit by early 2027 to provide direct smartphone con...
