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Rocket Lab Acquires Iridium Communications for $8 Billion, Building a Vertically Integrated Aerospace Giant to Rival SpaceX
2026-06-29
U.S. aerospace company Rocket Lab has announced the acquisition of legacy satellite communications operator Iridium Communications for approximately $8 billion, at $54 per share (including $27 in cash and stock). Post-acquisition, Rocket Lab will become a vertically integrated aerospace company that designs, manufactures, launches, and operates its own satellite constellation. Iridium currently has 2.55 million active subscribers, providing data and voice direct-to-device services over L-band spectrum in low Earth orbit. Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck stated that combining Iridium's heritage, infrastructure, and spectrum with Rocket Lab's launch and manufacturing capabilities will unlock new markets. The deal is supported by a $3.6 billion bridge loan from Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo, with completion expected by mid-2027. This move directly targets SpaceX's Starlink model and could break its potential monopoly in satellite direct-to-device services, offering a more diversified customer base for metal additive manufacturing in the commercial aerospace sector.
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Rocket Lab 80亿美元收购铱星通讯，打造垂直整合航天巨头直面SpaceX
美国航天公司Rocket Lab宣布以约80亿美元（每股54美元，含27美元现金加股票）收购老牌卫星通信运营商铱星通讯。 收购后Rocket Lab将成为一家“设计、制造、发射、运营自有星座的垂直整合航天公司”。铱星目前拥有255万活跃订阅用户，基于L频段频谱和低地球轨道提供数据和语音直连设备服务。 Rocket Lab创始人兼CEO Peter Beck表示，通过将铱星的传承、基础设施和频谱与Rocket Lab的发射和制造能力结合，“我们有能力解锁全新市场”。交易由德意志银行和富国银行提供36亿美元过桥贷款支持，预计2027年中完成。 此举直接对标SpaceX的星链模式，有望打破其在卫星直连设备市场的潜在垄断，为金属增材制造在商业航天领域提供更多元的客户渠道。