Rocket Lab shares fell more than 25% as of Oct. 16, after a small manufacturing defect pushed the Neutron rocket launch back to 2027 and Space Exploration Technologies' momentum added pressure. The author argues the drop is overblown: the company has a backlog above $2.3 billion, with about 45% expected to convert into revenue within a year. Second-quarter revenue rose 62%, and the third quarter looks set to keep that growth even without Neutron. The space systems segment, which covers components, satellites and spacecraft, remains Rocket Lab's main source of revenue. The author sees the dip as an opportunity, while noting the stock is still a high-risk investment.
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