In May 2026, Rocket Lab took center stage in the global commercial space industry. Trading data from May 22 shows Rocket Lab (RKLB) opened at $131.41, reached an intraday high of $139.76, and closed at $135.76—surging $10.31 in a single day for a gain of 8.22%. Trading volume soared to 32,970,699 shares, up 6.96% from the previous session.
Earlier, on May 20, RKLB also demonstrated strong momentum, closing at $134.28 with a daily increase of $6.97, up 5.47%.
Starting near $80 at the end of April, RKLB has climbed more than 60% in just a month, briefly approaching the $140 mark and becoming one of the most watched stocks in the US market.
How Can You Join the Space Rally on Gate TradFi?
With RKLB’s impressive performance, many investors are asking: Is there a more convenient way to participate in the space sector rally besides traditional brokers?
The answer is yes. On May 13, 2026, Gate officially launched RKLB perpetual contracts (settled in USDT) in its contract stock section, supporting up to 20x leverage for both long and short trades. This means Gate users don’t need a traditional stock account—simply use USDT to trade RKLB price movements. You can go long when prices rise or short when anticipating a pullback, offering flexible and diverse trading strategies.
Gate TradFi is Gate’s one-stop multi-asset trading solution, allowing users to access cryptocurrencies, stock CFDs, forex, gold, global indices, and commodities—all from a single crypto account. For the space sector, the launch of RKLB perpetual contracts opens a direct gateway to commercial space investment.
Why Is RKLB Rallying? Three Key Drivers Explained
Neutron Rocket Countdown Begins, Major Contracts Secured
Rocket Lab’s biggest recent catalyst is its development of the Neutron, a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle. On May 7, 2026, Rocket Lab announced a historic contract: providing a confidential client with five Neutron launches and three Electron launches, with the deal surpassing its previous record of $190 million.
CEO Peter Beck confirmed during the Q1 earnings call that Neutron’s maiden launch window remains set for Q4 2026, and the team is advancing toward the launch pad at an "aggressive pace." Meanwhile, the Neutron’s Archimedes engine is undergoing round-the-clock hot fire tests at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, covering both sea-level and vacuum-optimized variants.
Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations, Revenue and Orders Hit Record Highs
Rocket Lab delivered outstanding results in Q1 2026. Revenue reached $200.3 million, up 63.5% year-over-year, setting a new quarterly record. Space systems revenue totaled $136.7 million, up 57%; launch services revenue hit $63.7 million, soaring 79% year-over-year.
Additionally, Rocket Lab’s backlog at the end of Q1 stood at approximately $2.2 billion, providing robust support for future growth. CEO Peter Beck noted that commercial orders are "rapidly filling out the schedule through the end of the decade."
Analyst Price Targets Raised, Institutions Optimistic on Long-Term Outlook
According to the latest FactSet survey, analysts are steadily raising their long-term revenue forecasts for RKLB: median estimates are $919 million for 2026, $1.274 billion for 2027, $1.597 billion for 2028, and potentially $2.047 billion by 2029.
For price targets, 20 analysts have set an average 12-month target of $97.19 for RKLB, with the highest target at $150, reflecting strong market confidence in RKLB’s long-term value.
Key Points for Trading RKLB Perpetual Contracts on Gate TradFi
Gate users should keep the following in mind when trading RKLB perpetual contracts:
Flexible Leverage Adjustment: RKLB perpetual contracts support leverage from 1x to 20x. Users can choose their leverage based on risk tolerance and market outlook, whether going long or short.
USDT Settlement, Easy Operation: Contracts use USDT as both margin and settlement currency. Simply transfer USDT to your contract account to start trading—no currency conversion or bank account needed.
Long and Short Trading, Flexible Market Response: Capture gains by going long in a rising market or hedge risks by going short during corrections or overbought conditions. You can truly trade both directions.
Risk Management First: Contract trading carries high risk, especially with higher leverage. Small price swings can lead to significant profit or loss. New users are advised to start with low leverage and make full use of stop-loss and other risk management tools.
Space Sector Outlook: Can RKLB Become a Long-Term Winner in Commercial Space?
Rocket Lab is now the world’s second-largest commercial space company and a leader in vertically integrated space solutions. Its core business spans launch services and space systems: the Electron rocket has successfully delivered over 100 satellites to orbit, serving civilian, defense, and commercial markets.
With the Neutron rocket’s maiden flight scheduled for late 2026, Rocket Lab will transition from a "small rocket operator" to a comprehensive space company with medium-lift capabilities, entering larger markets—including major constellation deployments, national security missions, and deep space exploration.
Commercial space is widely regarded as one of the most promising growth sectors of the 21st century. Whether it’s satellite internet, space exploration, or infrastructure, Rocket Lab’s end-to-end vertical integration and expanding commercial order book are cementing its position in the global space industry.
Conclusion
RKLB is experiencing a strong rally, briefly approaching $140 on May 22 with a daily gain of over 8%. The anticipated Neutron rocket launch, Q1 earnings surprise, and raised analyst forecasts for revenue and price targets are the three main drivers behind this surge.
On the trading front, Gate launched RKLB perpetual contracts (USDT settlement) on May 13, supporting up to 20x leverage and both long and short trading—offering users a convenient gateway to participate in the space sector rally.
