This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) jumped about 8% on Monday after investors cheered on capping a record year with its 21st Electron rocket launch, sending the QPS-SAR-15 satellite for Japan’s iQPS into orbit.
The mission, named The Wisdom God Guides, lifted off from New Zealand, marking Rocket Lab’s 79th Electron flight overall. Every 2025 launch hit its target, setting a new annual record and cementing Electron as the globe’s busiest small-lift orbital rocket.
QPS-SAR-15 expands iQPS’ synthetic aperture radar constellation, delivering near-real-time Earth imagery across multiple orbits. Rocket Lab has now launched seven satellites for iQPS since 2023, with five more missions lined up in 2026.
The streak underscores Rocket Lab’s growing footprint in the booming small-satellite market, where rapid, reliable launches are increasingly prized by commercial and government customers alike.
This first flight completes the Electron Launch Series of Rocket Lab, their next launch sequence is planned to launch in early Q1 2026. Analysts declare that the perfect track record gives confidence in the potential of Rocket Lab to expand its orbital services as well as win new contracts.