Shares of Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) surged 5.09% in pre-market trading on Thursday, following the company's announcement of a significant milestone in its collaboration with NASA and Eta Space. The space technology firm has completed the spacecraft for a crucial cryogenic fueling mission, demonstrating its growing capabilities in advanced space systems.

Rocket Lab revealed that it has cleared the Systems Integration Review (SIR) and finished building its Photon spacecraft for the LOXSAT mission, a joint project with Eta Space and NASA. This mission aims to demonstrate a cryogenic fluid management system in orbit, which could pave the way for future space refueling technologies. The successful completion of this phase allows the company to proceed with payload integration and environmental testing, with the launch scheduled for early 2026 on Rocket Lab's Electron rocket.

Investors appear to be responding positively to this news, as it showcases Rocket Lab's end-to-end space capabilities and its involvement in cutting-edge space technology development. The LOXSAT mission, part of NASA's Tipping Point program, is seen as a critical step towards enabling reusable and sustainable space exploration beyond Earth's orbit. As Rocket Lab continues to demonstrate its expertise in both launch services and spacecraft manufacturing, the market seems to be recognizing the company's potential for growth in the expanding space industry.