NASA is citing Rocket Lab (NasdaqGS:RKLB) as a launch option for future commercial space station missions as the ISS nears retirement. NASA is shifting to a new acquisition model that funds privately owned space stations to succeed the ISS over the coming decade. Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket, targeted for a 2027 debut, is positioned to address launch capacity constraints for small and medium satellites in this ecosystem. The analysis suggests Neutron could expand the company's addressable market, but delays and high R&D spending remain risks that pressure cash and execution.
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