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Rocket Lab agrees to acquire Iridium in $8 billion cash-and-stock deal

Rocket Lab agrees to acquire Iridium in $8 billion cash-and-stock deal

Rocket Lab said the acquisition is expected to close by mid-2027 and has lined up a $3.6 billion bridge loan from Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo for the cash portion.

Fact Check
All elements of the claim are independently corroborated. Reuters and the Ademi LLP press release both confirm the exact deal terms: $27 cash plus Rocket Lab stock for a notional $54/share, valuing the cash-and-stock deal at approximately $8 billion. WSJ and Barron's confirm the $8 billion acquisition and the $54/share figure. The PR Newswire Ademi LLP alert directly confirms the firm is investigating the merger terms and Iridium board conduct. Multiple high-authority outlets reported the deal on the same date (June 29, 2026), with no conflicting reports found.
Summary

Rocket Lab said it has agreed to acquire all outstanding Iridium Communications shares in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at about $54 per share, implying an enterprise value of roughly $8 billion. Iridium shareholders are set to receive $27 in cash plus Rocket Lab stock worth $54 per share, representing a 24.1% premium. Rocket Lab said it expects the deal to close by mid-2027 and has secured a $3.6 billion bridge loan from Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo to fund the cash portion. The acquisition would give Rocket Lab control of Iridium’s satellite fleet and access to spectrum assets, expanding its satellite services footprint. After the announcement, Rocket Lab shares rose nearly 12% in premarket trading to $94.62. Separately, Ademi LLP said it is investigating the transaction for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other legal violations, including whether change-of-control benefits and deal protections could disadvantage shareholders.

Terms & Concepts
  • enterprise value: A measure of a company's total value that includes equity and debt, often used in takeover pricing.
  • spectrum: Radio frequencies used for wireless communications, a scarce asset that can add strategic value to satellite operators.
  • bridge loan: Short-term financing used to cover immediate funding needs until longer-term financing or closing proceeds are available.