Rocket Lab to acquire satellite operator Iridium for $8 billion

Space launch company Rocket Lab has announced an agreement to acquire satellite operator Iridium in a transaction that values the satellite company at $8 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Rocket Lab will acquire Iridium’s stock for $54 per share. Although the transaction has not yet closed, the acquisition is expected to put Rocket Lab in a position to become a more full-fledged space services company, continuing a wave of consolidation in the industry.

This acquisition is the latest in a series of purchases for Rocket Lab. Over the past year, Rocket Lab has executed multiple acquisitions to expand its operational capabilities:

• In May, Rocket Lab bought space robotics company Motiv.
• In April, the company acquired laser communications provider Mynaric.
• In February, it purchased a precision component manufacturer.
• Last year, Rocket Lab bought optical sensor defense contractor Geost.

In addition to operating dozens of satellites currently in orbit, Iridium owns a bundle of valuable spectrum, which refers to the radio frequency bands used for satellite communications. Rocket Lab announced in a press release on Monday that it plans to build upon Iridium’s existing network. The company stated that it plans to use this network to “scale into untapped markets and pioneer new space-based services to the benefit of global customers.”

The deal continues a broader wave of consolidation—the process of companies merging or acquiring others in the same industry—that has reshaped the space and satellite sectors over several years. This trend includes Viasat acquiring Inmarsat, a private equity firm buying Maxar in 2023, and Lockheed Martin purchasing satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital in 2024. Additionally, in April 2026, Amazon bought satellite company Globalstar for $11.6 billion. Amazon is building a space-based internet competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink, which is a space-based internet service owned by SpaceX.

Why it matters

This acquisition positions Rocket Lab to evolve into a more full-fledged space services company, underscoring a wider trend of consolidation as companies compete to capture global market share in satellite communications.