Iridium Communications IncAcquired at a 24% premium, valuing the company at $8 billion.
Rocket Lab agreed to acquire Iridium Communications for $54 per share in cash and stock, a 24% premium over Friday's close, valuing the satellite network operator at roughly $8 billion. The deal, expected to close in mid-2027 pending approvals, would combine Rocket Lab's satellite manufacturing and launch capabilities with Iridium's secure global communications network and spectrum assets. Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck called Iridium the gold standard in safety-critical satellite connectivity, and the vertical integration is expected to reduce costs and improve profitability. The acquisition positions Rocket Lab to compete more directly with SpaceX's Starlink and follows Amazon's purchase of Globalstar in April, signaling accelerating consolidation in the space industry.
Iridium Communications IncAcquired at a 24% premium, valuing the company at $8 billion.
Rocket Lab USA Inc.Acquiring Iridium to vertically integrate, expected to reduce costs and improve profitability.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Class A Common StockMentioned as a competitor (Starlink) that Rocket Lab aims to compete with, but not directly impacted.
Globalstar, Inc. Common Stock
Amazon.com Inc