Rocket Lab shares rose 8.2% to $69.89 after Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard reaffirmed an Outperform rating and a $122 price objective, citing the planned Iridium Communications transaction and the upcoming Neutron rocket as major catalysts. The transaction, targeted for completion by mid-2027, would add Iridium’s more than $850 million in annual revenue and approximately double Rocket Lab’s yearly revenue stream; Iridium would become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary. Neutron’s maiden flight is anticipated before year-end, with capacity for about 13,000 kilograms per mission versus Electron’s 300 kilograms and an intended launch price of $50 million to $55 million. Rocket Lab completed its 96th Electron mission on Sept. 19, deploying a StriX Earth-observation satellite for Japan’s Synspective, and has continued preparing a 97th mission. Berenberg, Raymond James and Needham also maintain Buy-equivalent recommendations, with targets ranging from $80 to $122.