via TechCrunch
Rocket Lab Continues Acquisition Spree with $8B Purchase of Iridium
Launch provider Rocket Lab is acquiring satellite operator Iridium in a deal valued at $8 billion ($54 per share), marking the company’s latest step toward becoming a fully integrated space services firm and continuing a broader wave of consolidation in the industry.
Pending regulatory approval, the acquisition will give Rocket Lab ownership of Iridium’s existing satellite fleet in orbit and its valuable spectrum assets. In a press release, Rocket Lab said it plans to "build upon" Iridium’s network to "scale into untapped markets and pioneer new space-based services to the benefit of global customers."
This deal is part of a busy year for Rocket Lab. Earlier in 2026, the company acquired space robotics firm Motiv (May), laser communications provider Mynaric (April), and a precision component manufacturer (February). It also purchased optical sensor defense contractor Geost in 2025.
The announcement follows years of consolidation in the space sector. Notable deals include ViaSat’s acquisition of Inmarsat, a private equity buyout of Maxar in 2023, and Lockheed Martin’s purchase of satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital in 2024. In April 2026, Amazon—which is building a satellite internet competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink—acquired Globalstar for $11.6 billion.
With these moves, Rocket Lab is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for space services, from launch and satellite manufacturing to communications and defense capabilities.