SpaceX vs Rocket Lab stock: SPCX vs RKLB
Updated from live prices and SEC filings
As of 18 Oct 2026: By market value, SpaceX is about 62 times the size of Rocket Lab ($1.98T against $31.92B). SpaceX has only traded since 12 June 2026, so it has no full-year return; it is up 8.2% on its $135 IPO price.
SpaceX and Rocket Lab are the two listed launch companies with rockets flying regularly. SpaceX's Falcon 9 carries most of the world's orbital launches and the company runs Starlink, the largest satellite broadband network. Rocket Lab flies the small Electron rocket and makes most of its money building spacecraft and satellite components, while it develops the larger Neutron rocket to compete for constellation launches.
SPCX vs RKLB side by side
| SPCX SpaceX | RKLB Rocket Lab | |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $146.03 | $50.84 |
| Market cap | $1.98T | $31.92B |
| Year to date | -9.3% | -33.1% |
| 1 year | -9.3% | -23.3% |
| Revenue | $7.81B (latest quarter) | $769.1M (12 months) |
| Revenue growth | +91.9% (latest quarter) | +52.5% (12 months) |
| Gross margin | - | 37.3% |
| Net income | -$541.0M (latest quarter) | -$165.5M (12 months) |
| Cash and investments | $100.01B | $2.30B |
| Debt | $38.28B | $13.1M |
| Free cash flow (12 months) | - | -$371.1M |
| Cash runway | - | 6.2 years |
| Shares outstanding, 1y change | - | +24.8% |
| Insider buying minus selling (12 months) | -$53.7M | -$683.3M |
| US government contract awards (12 months) | $1.67B | $824K |
| Next earnings | 20 Oct 2026, after close | 9 Nov 2026 |
Financials are from each company's latest 10-Q and 10-K filings. Where 12-month figures are not yet available (for example, after a recent listing), the latest quarter is shown and labelled.
Key differences
- Scale: SpaceX is one of the most valuable companies in the world; Rocket Lab is a fraction of its size, so the same contract win moves Rocket Lab's shares far more.
- Revenue mix: most SpaceX revenue comes from Starlink subscriptions, with a fast-growing AI business alongside. Rocket Lab's comes mainly from its space systems business (satellites, solar arrays, reaction wheels and other parts), with launch the smaller share.
- The Neutron question: Rocket Lab's next leg of growth depends on Neutron reaching orbit and winning medium-lift launches that Falcon 9 dominates today.
- Ownership: SpaceX's public shareholders hold one-vote Class A shares while Elon Musk controls the vote. Rocket Lab has a single share class.
- Supply of shares: SpaceX has large lock-up releases through mid-2027; Rocket Lab has funded itself partly by selling new shares, which shows in its share count.
Full company pages
Frequently asked questions
Is Rocket Lab a competitor to SpaceX?
Yes, in launch. Electron competes for small satellites, often against SpaceX's rideshare missions, and the Neutron rocket in development is aimed at the medium-lift market where Falcon 9 leads. Rocket Lab's spacecraft and components business does not compete with SpaceX directly.
Which is the bigger company, SpaceX or Rocket Lab?
SpaceX, by a wide margin. At the last update SpaceX was valued at about $1.98T and Rocket Lab at about $31.92B.
What is the difference between SpaceX and Rocket Lab stock?
SpaceX: Operates Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon, is developing Starship, and runs the Starlink broadband constellation. Listed on Nasdaq in June 2026. Rocket Lab: Launch provider (Electron, with the larger Neutron in development) that also builds spacecraft and satellite components.
Which is better, SPCX or RKLB?
That depends on what you want to own and how much risk you can take. Orbit Alpha does not make recommendations; the table compares size, growth, cash and dilution so you can weigh them yourself.
Prices from Yahoo Finance; financials, insider trades and share counts from SEC EDGAR; contract awards from USAspending.gov. Figures as of 18 Oct 2026, refreshed whenever the site updates. Orbit Alpha is information, not investment advice.
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