Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab secures full financing for Iridium acquisition

As of September 2026: Acquirer; raising equity and restructuring debt to fund the deal

Rocket Lab has fully funded its roughly $8 billion purchase of Iridium Communications. A $1.94 billion share sale closed on schedule, and the $3.6 billion bridge loan that had backstopped the cash portion is now canceled.

Updated Sep 16

America expands its missile-defense launch capacity

Built World

As of July 2026: Contract winner building a new Alaska launch site

The Pentagon can't fly hypersonic weapons tests fast enough. On July 27, it handed Rocket Lab $266 million to help fix that.

Updated Jul 27

Rocket Lab agrees to acquire satellite operator Iridium

Money Moves

As of June 2026: Acquirer

Iridium nearly vanished. In 2000, investors bought its satellite network out of bankruptcy for about $25 million. On June 29, 2026, Rocket Lab agreed to buy the same company for roughly $8 billion.

Updated Jun 29

Synspective builds out its all-weather radar satellite constellation

Built World

As of June 2026: Sole launch provider for StriX

On June 17, 2026, a Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifted off from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula carrying StriX-8, the latest radar satellite for Japan's Synspective. Each launch adds one more eye that can see the ground through clouds, smoke, and the dark.

Updated Jun 18

Rocket Lab closes a perfect 2025 by lofting iQPS’s QPS-SAR-15 — and locking in as its constellation workhorse

New Capabilities

As of May 2026: Launch provider deploying iQPS satellites and pushing Electron into high-cadence constellation logistics

Rocket Lab ended 2025 with another success. On Dec. 21, Electron lifted off from Māhia and placed iQPS's QPS-SAR-15 into orbit, extending a run of repeat business that positions Rocket Lab as a default launcher for constellation operators.

Updated May 15

Manhole-cover satellites and a 5-month head start: Space Force’s DiskSat sprint signals “launch-on-demand” maturity