Defense and NASA Drive Space Commercial Boom

Rocket Lab reported strong Q1 revenue ($63.7M launches; $136.7M space systems), a backlog that more than doubled to $2.2B, new large contracts (including hypersonic test flights) and an acquisition of Motiv Space Systems — and it ties rising demand explicitly to a U.S. missile‑defense program and renewed Artemis crewed missions. The market reaction (a 34% one‑day stock jump) and lift across peer companies show the demand signal is industry‑wide. — If public defence and NASA programs are now major demand engines for private space firms, this reshapes procurement politics, regional industrial policy, and the case for public subsidies or export controls in the commercial space sector.