Rocket Lab to Acquire Iridium Communications

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 to Acquire Aireon LLC

May 14, 2026

Telecommunications

Iridium Communications has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, operator of the world’s only space-based ADS-B air traffic surveillance system. Iridium will purchase the remaining 61% of Aireon for approximately $366.7 million and assume about $155 million of Aireon’s debt, with the deal targeted to close in early July 2026.

Rocket Lab Acquires Geost (Parent Holding Company) from Lightridge Solutions

August 12, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab completed its $275 million acquisition of the parent holding company of Geost, LLC, a developer of electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor payloads for national security space missions. The deal integrates Geost’s sensing technologies into Rocket Lab’s end-to-end space solutions offering, with Geost continuing operations in Arizona and Virginia.

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.

L3Harris to Acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne

December 18, 2022

Aerospace & Defense

L3Harris Technologies has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. for $58 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $4.7 billion inclusive of net debt. The deal, financed with cash and new debt, will combine Aerojet Rocketdyne’s propulsion and energetics capabilities (about $2.3 billion in revenue and ~5,200 employees) with L3Harris to strengthen defense propulsion, hypersonics and missile-defense offerings; the transaction is expected to close subject to regulatory approvals in 2023.

Rocket Lab Completes Merger with Vector Acquisition Corporation

August 25, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. completed its previously announced merger with Vector Acquisition Corporation and began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker RKLB. The transaction generated approximately $777 million of gross proceeds (including trust account funds and concurrent PIPE financing) to accelerate Rocket Lab’s space systems growth, fund development of the reusable Neutron rocket, and support organic and inorganic expansion.