Hey everybody,
I’m doing this real quick because I’m still at work. But Rocket Lab’s (RKLB) live stream website just updated and announced that their launch will be taking place tonight, at 9PM MST. Here is the link:
The launch is titled “Love at First Insight” and it is the next launch in a multi-launch deal with BlackSky to deploy satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab will be recovering their Electron rocket booster by boat in the ocean after the launch, but they are also sort of testing a new mid-air helicopter catch during this launch. If the launch goes well I expect some upward movement in the stock price tomorrow. RKLB is also reporting earnings on 11/15. Their launch schedule has been disrupted somewhat due to COVID restrictions in New Zealand where their launch platform is, and it has affected their revenue. However they weren’t supposed to launch at all for the rest of the year, so the fact that this launch is happening tonight is a good sign IMHO. I will do some more research and see if there is anything else worth adding tonight when I get home from work. I do own shares and call options in RKLB, my shares are up about 15% and calls are up about 85% as of this writing.
For your information, here is another link to the launch information page and press kit:
EDIT
Okay here is a little more information about Rocket Lab’s recovery goals tonight that you may find cool. I personally find this really fucking cool as an engineer.
“Rocket Lab will also attempt a controlled ocean splashdown and recovery of Electron’s first stage, the latest in Rocket Lab’s program to make Electron the first reusable orbital launch vehicle dedicated to small satellites. The mission will be Rocket Lab’s third ocean recovery of an Electron stage; however, it will be thee first time a helicopter will be stationed in the recovery zone around 200 nautical miles offshore to track and visually observe a descending stage in preparation for future aerial capture attempts. The helicopter will not attempt a mid-air capture for this mission but will test communications and tracking to refine the concept…”
In case you’d like to see how this works and exactly how bad-ass it is, here is a video of Rocket Lab successfully catching a rocket booster with a fucking helicopter during a test:
EDIT
Going into the financial side, things have been quiet for the company on the launch front. There was only one launch during Q3, it was July 29th for the United States Space Force. RKLB had more launches on the schedule for the quarter but unfortunately they were delayed due to severe COVID restrictions imposed in New Zealand, because of a Delta Variant outbreak there. For this reason in my opinion any kind of earnings report play should be completely off the table, as the risk is too great. I’m recommending either a long term investment (shares/LEAPS), or a short term play on the outcome of the launch tonight.
Now for some better news. RKLB is trying to expand their “space systems” revenue, and announced in September that they have opened a high volume reaction wheel production facility, and will generate revenue by pumping wheels out and selling them. Reaction wheels are important for providing attitude control and stability on spacecraft. They have also continually lowered their per vehicle launch cost, and for that reason I believe that they will report their order backlog has increased even further as their customers want to reap the benefits of cheaply deployed satellites. RKLB was also awarded a $25m dollar contract with the Space Force, for development of their Neutron rocket, which is a bigger version of the Electron with more payload capacity. It can deliver more satellites in one launch even further reducing the cost.
TLDR; I’m super bullish on this company long term, and short term I really think we could see a share price increase tomorrow after a successful launch and booster recovery tonight. If anyone has anything to add, or correct please feel free to do so. This is my first contribution to the forum, and I am not a professional in finance so I apologize for any retardness on display here. Thanks and good luck!
