Rocket Lab Shares Fall 5.2% Premarket Ahead of Fourth Hypersonic Test
Rocket Lab shares dropped 5.19% in Friday premarket trading as investors rotated away from space-sector names. The company readied its Cassowary Vex mission using a HASTE rocket to deploy Hypersonix’s scramjet aircraft—the fourth hypersonic test in six months—targeting liftoff no earlier than late February.
1. Premarket Stock Movement
Rocket Lab shares slid 5.19% in premarket trading as broader space-sector rotation and financing risks weighed on capital-intensive operators. The drop extended a choppy stretch for aerospace names despite the Nasdaq and S&P 500 trading near flat levels.
2. Cassowary Vex Hypersonic Test Mission
The Cassowary Vex mission, set for liftoff no earlier than late February, will use Rocket Lab’s HASTE rocket to deploy Hypersonix’s scramjet-powered aircraft. This marks the fourth hypersonic test in under six months and underscores the company’s push to lower costs and increase launch tempo for U.S. defense applications.
3. Technical Indicators and Analyst Outlook
Shares trade 18.1% below their 20-day SMA but 3.6% above the 100-day SMA, reflecting mixed short-term momentum. The RSI sits at 40.97 while the MACD remains below its signal line, and the stock is up 133% over the past 12 months, indicating strong long-term performance despite recent volatility.