Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares are up during Tuesday’s session as the company unveiled a new electric propulsion satellite thruster designed to meet the growing demand for reliable satellite propulsion.



This announcement comes as Rocket Lab continues to strengthen its position in the space industry, ensuring it can supply thrusters on demand in large quantities, which is crucial for both commercial and national security constellations.



Rocket Lab introduced the Gauss thruster, which features a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit, and a Propellant Management Assembly, aimed at producing over 200 thrusters per year. 



The company said that this move is expected to alleviate supply chain issues that have historically plagued the electric propulsion market, enhancing Rocket Lab’s competitive edge.



<h2>Technical Analysis</h2>



Rocket Lab is currently trading in a strong uptrend, positioned 23.4% above its 200-day simple moving average (SMA), indicating robust long-term momentum. The stock is also trading 7.6% above its 20-day SMA and 4.2% above its 50-day SMA, suggesting positive short-term strength as well.



The relative strength index (RSI) sits at 52.05, reflecting a neutral momentum state, which indicates that the stock is neither overbought nor oversold at this time. This positioning allows for potential upward movement without immediate overextension.



<ul>
<li>Key Resistance: $78.50 — A significant level where upward momentum may stall.</li>



<li>Key Support: $64.00 — A critical level that could provide buying interest if tested.</li>
</ul>



Over the past 12 months, Rocket Lab has seen a remarkable return of 269.16%, showcasing its strong performance and growth potential in the space sector. The stock is currently trading near its 52-week high of $99.58, which suggests that it is in a strong position within the market.



Rocket Lab’s introduction of the Gauss thruster is significant as it addresses supply chain constraints in the electric propulsion sector, enhancing Rocket Lab’s ability to meet the increasing demand for satellite propulsion systems. This positions the company as a key player in the rapidly evolving space industry.



<h2>Earnings &amp; Analyst Outlook</h2>



Rocket Lab is slated to provide its next financial update on May 7, 2026 (estimated).



<ul>
<li>EPS Estimate: Loss of 7 cents (Up from Loss of 12 cents)</li>



<li>Revenue Estimate: $191.07 million (Up from $122.57 million)</li>
</ul>



Analyst Consensus &amp; Recent Actions: The stock carries a Buy Rating with an average price target of $86.36. Recent analyst moves include:



<ul>
<li>Citizens: Upgraded to Market Outperform (Target $85.00) (April 7)</li>



<li>Wells Fargo: Initiated with Equal-Weight (Target $60.00) (April 1)</li>



<li>Clear Street: Initiated with Buy (Target $88.00) (March 19)</li>
</ul>



<h2>Top ETF Exposure</h2>



<ul>
<li>SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:XAR): 5.66% Weight</li>



<li>ARK Autonomous Technology &amp; Robotics ETF (BATS:ARKQ): 4.97% Weight</li>



<li>ARK Space &amp; Defense Innovation ETF (NASDAQ:ARKX): 7.81% Weight</li>
</ul>



Significance: Because RKLB carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock.



<h2>Price Action</h2>



RKLB Stock Price Activity: Rocket Lab shares were up 2.99% at $72.73 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.



Photo: T.Schneider / Shutterstock

RKLB

RKLX

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Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has introduced its Gauss satellite thruster, designed to meet the increasing demand for satellite propulsion and alleviate supply chain issues in the electric propulsion market. The company aims to produce over 200 thrusters annually, enhancing its competitive edge in the space industry. Rocket Lab's stock rose 2.99% to $72.73, reflecting strong performance with a 269.16% return over the past year. Analysts maintain a Buy rating with an average price target of $86.36, indicating positive market sentiment.

benzinga_article

Rocket Lab

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Def

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF

Invesco Aero & Defense ETF

ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF

ISHRS Aero & Def

Citizens Financial

Wells Fargo

ARK Autonomous Tech & Robotics ETF

CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP INC DEP SHS REPSTG 1/40TH PERP PFD SR I

CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP INC 5% DEP SHS EA REP 1/40TH NON CUM SER E

CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP INC DEP SHS REPSTG 1/40TH PERP PFD SER H

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY DP SHS REP 1/1000TH INT NCUM PFD CL A DD

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY 7.5% PERP CONV PRF CLS 'A' SERIES 'L'

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY DEP SHS REP 1/1000 INT PER PFD SER Y A

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY DP SHS REP 1/1000TH INT NCUM PFD CL A CC

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY 4.75% DEP SHS 1/1000 NCUM PFD CL A SR Z

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY DEP SHS REP 1/1000TH INT PFD SR AA (CLA)

Rocket Lab Unveils Electric Satellite Thruster Built For On-Demand Scale