Rocket Lab USA, Inc. Acquires Planetary Systems Corporation

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.

Rocket Lab Acquires SolAero Holdings for $80 Million

December 13, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) has acquired SolAero Holdings, Inc., a leading supplier of space solar cells, solar panels and precision aerospace structures, for $80 million in cash. The acquisition (announced in December 2021 and subsequently closed) adds SolAero’s ~425 employees and the world’s largest production line of high-performance space solar cells to Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated space systems business, expanding its manufacturing capabilities for civil, defense and commercial space customers.

Rocket Lab Acquires Geost

August 12, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab Corporation has completed the acquisition of the parent holding company of Geost, LLC from Lightridge Solutions (a portfolio company of ATL Partners) for $275 million before closing adjustments — comprising approximately $125 million in cash and 3,057,588 shares of Rocket Lab common stock, plus a potential earnout of up to $50 million. The deal brings Geost's electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor payload capabilities and manufacturing facilities into Rocket Lab, expanding its national security space capabilities and U.S. footprint (Arizona and Virginia).

Rocket Lab Acquires Geost, LLC from ATL Partners / LightRidge Solutions

August 12, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (a subsidiary of Rocket Lab Corporation) is acquiring Geost, LLC, a LightRidge Solutions subsidiary, in a deal that represents a successful exit for ATL Partners. Following the sale ATL will combine its remaining LightRidge businesses, Trident Systems and Ophir Corporation, into a new defense electronics platform called Trident Solutions; the transaction strengthens Rocket Lab's EO/IR payload and mission-capability offerings for defense and intelligence customers and is subject to regulatory approval.

Phantom Space Corporation Acquires StratSpace

May 25, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Phantom Space Corporation has acquired StratSpace, a 20-year space systems consultancy and satellite systems engineering firm, to expand Phantom's capabilities across satellite design, manufacturing support and space program management. The deal brings StratSpace's technical know-how and customer relationships (including NASA and major defense primes) into Phantom's vertically integrated offering of rockets, satellites and space data infrastructure.

Rocket Lab Acquires Advanced Solutions, Inc.

October 12, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. completed the acquisition of Advanced Solutions, Inc. (ASI), a Colorado-based aerospace engineering firm specializing in flight software, mission simulation, and GNC, for $40 million plus up to $5.5 million of performance-based earnouts. The deal expands Rocket Lab's Space Systems capabilities and integrates ASI's proven flight software and GNC expertise into Rocket Lab's Photon and broader spacecraft offerings.