Iridium Communications to Acquire Aireon LLC

Rocket Lab to Acquire Iridium Communications

September 24, 2026

Telecommunications

Rocket Lab will acquire Iridium Communications in a merger in which Iridium stockholders are to receive $27.00 in cash plus Rocket Lab shares for each Iridium share, for a stated notional value of $54.00 per share. Iridium stockholders approved the merger, but the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions and is expected to be completed by mid-2027.

Rocket Lab to Acquire Iridium Communications

June 29, 2026

Telecommunications

Rocket Lab agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Iridium Communications in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $8 billion, or $54 per share. The acquisition combines Rocket Lab’s launch and spacecraft manufacturing capabilities with Iridium’s satellite communications network, spectrum, and subscriber base, extending Rocket Lab into recurring satellite services and space-based applications.

Iridium Communications Acquires Satelles

March 4, 2024

Telecommunications

Iridium Communications has agreed to acquire Satelles, a provider of satellite-based Satellite Time and Location (STL) services that harden and complement GNSS timing and location systems. Iridium will pay about $115 million for the remaining ~80% of Satelles (it already owned ~20%), will fold STL into a new Iridium business line led by Satelles CEO Dr. Michael O'Connor, and expects the capability to drive significant service revenue growth.

uAvionix Corporation Acquires Iris Automation

October 24, 2023

Aerospace & Defense

uAvionix Corporation has acquired Iris Automation, combining uAvionix's communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) capabilities with Iris Automation's computer vision-based Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems. The deal strengthens uAvionix's ability to offer a multi-layered safety architecture for crewed and uncrewed aircraft and includes a leadership change with Jon Damush (former Iris CEO) named CEO of uAvionix.

IDEX Corporation Acquires Iridian Spectral Technologies

May 22, 2023

Industrial Services

IDEX Corporation entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Iridian Spectral Technologies for CAD 150 million, subject to customary adjustments and closing conditions. Iridian is a privately held thin-film optical filters manufacturer based in Ottawa, Ontario, and the acquisition is expected to expand IDEX’s optical filter capabilities serving laser communications, telecommunications, and life sciences markets. IDEX later completed the acquisition on May 22, 2023.

Cimarron Acquires Aereon

May 4, 2020

Energy

Houston-based Cimarron has acquired Aereon, an Austin-headquartered provider of emissions control equipment and services, in a strategic combination supported by private equity sponsor Turnbridge Capital. The deal brings together complementary emissions-control product lines and service networks to expand Cimarron's capabilities across upstream, midstream and downstream energy markets.