Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares rose over 1% in late Thursday overnight trading after William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma identified the company as among the most 'competent, capable and innovative' rivals to SpaceX in the commercial space race. The analyst's commentary came as RKLB stocks declined 1% during Thursday's regular session and fell 18% over the week. DiPalma acknowledged strong market demand for alternatives to SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Starship rockets, naming Rocket Lab and Blue Origin as the strongest contenders despite SpaceX holding more than 90% market share and maintaining a decade lead over competitors. The assessment highlights the intensifying competition in the commercial space sector as multiple companies pursue vertically integrated launch and satellite services platforms.
William Blair Analyst Names Rocket Lab Among Top SpaceX Competitors
William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma stated in a Bloomberg interview that there is an appetite for a competitor to Starship and Falcon 9. He identified Rocket Lab and Blue Origin as the strongest contenders, saying "Blue Origin, as well as Rocket Lab, represent the most competent and capable and innovative competitors." DiPalma also stressed SpaceX's market dominance, noting "SpaceX has a 90%-plus market share. They're a decade ahead." The analyst said SpaceX's launch business alone should be worth "more than triple" the rest of the market combined.
SpaceX Maintains 90% Market Share With $2.2 Trillion Valuation
DiPalma valued SpaceX's launch operation at $300 billion within a total company valuation of about $2.2 trillion. The analyst said that Starlink and the company's data-center ambitions are now the bigger value drivers, stating "Starlink has, quite honestly, taken over the entire telecom industry."
Starlink Crosses 12 Million Users With 20 Gbps Gateway Performance
Late Thursday, Elon Musk said on X that Starlink can now provide "reliable 10 Gbps symmetric send/receive connectivity anywhere in the world." Starlink said it has delivered peak symmetric speeds of up to 10 Gbps in Utqiagvik, Alaska, and up to 20 Gbps through bonded gateways. The network crossed 12 million active customers across more than 160 countries and territories last week, up from nine million in its 2025 progress report.
Rocket Lab Pursues $8 Billion Iridium Acquisition For Integrated Platform
Rocket Lab is pursuing a vertically integrated strategy through its $8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications. The deal combines Rocket Lab's launch and spacecraft operations with Iridium's global communications network, spectrum and recurring satellite services. CEO Peter Beck said launch and spacecraft manufacturing were already two pillars of Rocket Lab's business, but "the third leg of the stool was always an application." He called the combined company a "fully integrated self-launching space superpower." Morgan Stanley said that the Iridium deal moves Rocket Lab closer to a SpaceX-style model and positions it as a "vertically integrated space platform" spanning launch, spacecraft, space systems and connectivity.
Rocket Lab Completes Victus Haze Mission In Under 17 Hours
Rocket Lab strengthened its execution case this week by completing the U.S. Space Force's Victus Haze mission. The company launched just 16 hours and 42 minutes after receiving notice and completed commissioning and proximity operations ahead of schedule.
RKLB stocks have surged 111% over the past year.
FAQ
What did William Blair analyst say about Rocket Lab on Thursday?
William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma identified Rocket Lab as among the most "competent, capable and innovative" rivals to SpaceX in the commercial space race. He named Rocket Lab and Blue Origin as the strongest contenders for alternatives to SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Starship rockets.
How did Rocket Lab stocks perform on Thursday and this week?
Rocket Lab (RKLB) stocks declined 1% during Thursday's regular session and fell 18% over the week. However, shares rose over 1% in late Thursday overnight trading following the analyst commentary.
What is Rocket Lab's strategy with the Iridium acquisition?
Rocket Lab is acquiring Iridium Communications for $8 billion to create a vertically integrated platform. The deal combines Rocket Lab's launch and spacecraft operations with Iridium's global communications network, spectrum and recurring satellite services.
