Rocket Lab to acquire Iridium in $8 billion deal to build vertically integrated space communications company

Rocket Lab will acquire Iridium in an $8 billion deal, creating a vertically integrated space communications, launch and satellite services company. The merger gives Rocket Lab access to Iridium's global L-band constellation including DoD-critical EMSS services. The combined entity becomes a major military satcom provider. The deal reshapes commercial space competition.