Rocket Lab Stock Is Up 330% Over the Past Year. The SpaceX IPO Threatens to Rock the Boat.

Long before the possibility of a public listing for SpaceX became a reality, investors looking to tap into the rapidly expanding space economy often turned to Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB). The appeal was easy to understand. With its Electron rocket, currently the second-most-frequently launched U.S. rocket each year, Rocket Lab has established itself as an early leader in the commercial space industry. And that leadership could strengthen even further with the upcoming launch of Neutron, its next-generation rocket designed to carry much larger payloads into low Earth orbit.

However, the landscape for space stocks could soon become much more interesting. With SpaceX reportedly set to go public this month, Rocket Lab may no longer be the only pure-play option for investors seeking exposure to the sector. Elon Musk’s SpaceX IPO is expected to be the largest public offering in both U.S. and global history, with reports suggesting the company aims to raise around $75 billion at a staggering valuation of roughly $1.75 trillion to $2 trillion. That would instantly make the space and AI giant one of the world’s most valuable companies.