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Launch company Rocket Lab<\/a> is buying satellite operator Iridium<\/a>, putting it in a position to become a more full-fledged space services company, and continuing a wave of consolidation in the industry.<\/p>\n The deal, which hasn\u2019t yet closed, will see Rocket Lab acquire Iridium\u2019s stock for $54 per share, valuing the satellite company at $8 billion. <\/p>\n This is one of several acquisitions for Rocket Lab this year. The company previously bought<\/a> space robotics company Motiv in May, acquired<\/a> laser communications provider Mynaric in April, and purchased a precision component manufacturer<\/a> in February. It also bought optical sensor defense contractor<\/a> Geost last year.<\/p>\n Iridium not only operates dozens of satellites currently in orbit, but it also owns a bundle of valuable spectrum. Rocket Lab said in a press release<\/a> Monday that it plans to \u201cbuild upon\u201d Iridium\u2019s existing network in order to \u201cscale into untapped markets and pioneer new space-based services to the benefit of global customers.\u201d<\/p>\n Rocket Lab\u2019s announcement comes after years of consolidation among space and satellite companies, including ViaSat acquiring Inmarsat and a private equity firm buying Maxar in 2023, and Lockheed Martin purchasing<\/a> satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital in 2024. In April 2026, Amazon \u2014 which is building a space-based internet competitor to SpaceX\u2019s Starlink \u2014 bought satellite company<\/a> Globalstar for $11.6 billion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n