New York, Jan 26, 2026, 12:11 (EST) — Regular session
- Rocket Lab shares slipped roughly 6.6% in midday trading, hovering near $83 after dipping to a session low close to $82.40
- Attention remains fixed on Neutron following a first-stage tank rupture during qualification testing
- Investors await a schedule update on the company’s February earnings call
Shares of Rocket Lab Corp dipped on Monday, erasing some of the gains made earlier this month as investors zeroed in on the schedule for its next-generation Neutron rocket.
Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) slipped 6.6% to $83.06 by 12:11 p.m. EST, down from Friday’s close of $88.90. That puts the company’s market cap near $44.5 billion. Shares fluctuated between $82.40 and $87.16, sitting roughly 17% below their 52-week peak, even as the Nasdaq climbed about 0.7%. 1
Neutron represents Rocket Lab’s move from the small-satellite Electron launcher to a medium-lift vehicle, raising the stakes with tighter margins for error. On Jan. 21, the company revealed that qualification testing of the first-stage tank ended in a rupture during a hydrostatic pressure trial—a test designed to push the tank to its breaking point. Rocket Lab said it will provide an updated timeline during its fourth-quarter earnings call in February. 2
A Form 8-K filing revealed the company is assessing Stage 1 test data to gauge its effect on Neutron’s launch timeline. 3
TD Cowen analyst Gautam Khanna warned the tank problem might push back the planned launch. He noted, “If a launch delay results from the tank rupture, a second Neutron launch in [2026] would be unlikely.” 4
Neutron aims to haul roughly 13,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit and bring back its first stage, stepping into a fiercely competitive launch segment dominated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9. According to Space.com, Rocket Lab’s goal for a first-quarter 2026 launch now seems doubtful. 5
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, the smaller of its two launchers, remains active. On Jan. 22, the company successfully deployed two satellites for European client Open Cosmos from New Zealand, marking its inaugural flight of 2026, according to Space.com. 6
Rocket Lab shares, despite Monday’s dip, have climbed roughly 26% so far this year and surged about 178% over the last 12 months, according to data from TradingView. 7
The next steps aren’t straightforward. If engineers need to rework the first stage or redo parts of qualification testing, the timeline could slip further, keeping costs elevated longer than bulls would like.
Traders are eyeing any further updates on the test data and cues from customers. The next major event is Rocket Lab’s earnings call in February, where management intends to reveal a revised schedule for Neutron.
