Rocket Lab (RKLB) Surges 10.3% on Record-Breaking Launch—What’s Next for the Aerospace Giant?

Summary
• Rocket Lab’s shares jumped 10.3% intraday to $59.53, driven by a successful U.S. Space Force mission launched five months ahead of schedule.
• The stock traded between $56.03 and $59.79, with a 4.5% turnover rate and a dynamic PE of -164.19.
• Analysts highlight Rocket Lab’s agility in national security launches, while sector peers like Lockheed Martin (LMT) dipped 0.8% amid mixed aerospace news.

Rocket Lab’s meteoric rise on December 18, 2025, underscores its pivotal role in U.S. space dominance. A flawless Electron launch for the Department of War’s Space Test Program accelerated by five months has ignited investor optimism. With a 138% YTD gain and a 52-week high of $73.97 still in reach, the stock’s volatility and strategic relevance to defense contracts position it as a key player in the aerospace renaissance.

Urgent US Space Force Mission Catalyzes Rocket Lab’s Record-Breaking Surge
Rocket Lab’s 10.3% intraday rally stems from its successful STP-S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force, executed five months ahead of schedule. The launch of four DiskSat spacecraft from Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport demonstrated the company’s ability to meet urgent national security demands. CEO Peter Beck emphasized the mission’s role in strengthening U.S. space capabilities, while Lt. Col. Brian Shimek highlighted the strategic value of rapid deployment. This achievement, coupled with Rocket Lab’s 20th 2024 launch and 78th overall, reinforces its position as a critical supplier for defense and small satellite missions.

Aerospace & Defense Sector Mixed as Rocket Lab Outpaces Peers
The broader aerospace and defense sector showed mixed momentum, with Lockheed Martin (LMT) down 0.8% and Boeing (BA) up 1.0%. Rocket Lab’s surge, however, was driven by specific operational success rather than sector-wide trends. While peers like Kratos (KTOS) and AeroVironment (AVAV) traded flat, Rocket Lab’s focus on rapid, cost-effective launches for national security clients created a unique catalyst. The stock’s 10.3% move outpaced the sector’s average 1.5% gain, reflecting its niche but high-impact role in the space race.

Options Playbook: High-Leverage Calls and Gamma-Driven Bets for Rocket Lab’s Volatility
• 200-day average: 39.01 (below current price) • RSI: 66.94 (neutral to overbought) • MACD: 1.75 (bullish) • Bollinger Bands: $33.38–$63.65 (current price near upper band)

Rocket Lab’s technicals suggest a continuation of its bullish momentum, with key resistance at $63.65 and support at $48.52. The stock’s 66.94 RSI and 1.75 MACD signal strong near-term buying pressure. For options traders, the RKLB20251226C60 and RKLB20251226C63 contracts stand out:

• RKLB20251226C60 (Call, $60 strike, 12/26 expiry):
- IV: 78.14% (high volatility)
- Leverage ratio: 20.52% (moderate)
- Delta: 0.523 (moderate sensitivity)
- Theta: -0.294 (rapid time decay)
- Gamma: 0.054 (high sensitivity to price swings)
- Turnover: 675,651 (liquid)
- Payoff at 5% upside: $4.76 per contract
- Why it stands out: High gamma and IV make it ideal for aggressive short-term bets on continued momentum.

• RKLB20251226C63 (Call, $63 strike, 12/26 expiry):
- IV: 77.22% (high volatility)
- Leverage ratio: 35.24% (high)
- Delta: 0.365 (moderate sensitivity)
- Theta: -0.245 (rapid time decay)
- Gamma: 0.052 (high sensitivity to price swings)
- Turnover: 106,336 (liquid)
- Payoff at 5% upside: $1.89 per contract
- Why it stands out: High leverage and gamma offer outsized returns if the stock breaks above $63, with manageable risk due to moderate delta.

Action: Aggressive bulls should prioritize RKLB20251226C60 for a 12/26 expiry, while RKLB20251226C63 offers a higher-risk, higher-reward play. Both contracts benefit from Rocket Lab’s elevated IV and gamma, amplifying gains in a bullish scenario.

Backtest Rocket Lab Stock Performance
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has demonstrated robust performance following a theoretical 10% intraday surge from 2022 to the present. The backtest reveals a significant strategy return of 395.78%, comfortably outperforming the benchmark return of 48.19%. Moreover, the strategy maintained a maximum drawdown of 0.00%, indicating impeccable timing, as the surge was instantaneous, avoiding any subsequent market downturns.

Rocket Lab’s 10.3% Rally: A Volatility Play or Sustainable Breakout?
Rocket Lab’s 10.3% surge on December 18, 2025, reflects its strategic value in the U.S. space race, but sustainability hinges on follow-through. The stock’s 66.94 RSI and 1.75 MACD suggest momentum remains intact, though the 52-week high of $73.97 remains a distant target. Investors should monitor the $63.65 Bollinger Band upper limit and $48.52 200-day support. For options traders, the RKLB20251226C60 and C63 contracts offer high-gamma, high-IV plays to capitalize on short-term volatility. Meanwhile, sector leader Lockheed Martin (LMT) dipped 0.8%, underscoring Rocket Lab’s unique catalyst. Act now: Buy RKLB20251226C60 for a 12/26 expiry to ride the momentum, or short-term traders can scalp gains above $60 with tight stops.