Rocket Lab to Acquire Mynaric in $150M Deal
Acquisition of German laser-comms specialist Mynaric aims to vertically integrate Rocket Lab's space systems portfolio.
Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Mynaric, a German developer of laser optical communications terminals, in a strategic move to bolster its position as an end-to-end space company. The deal, valued at up to $150 million, underscores Rocket Lab's ambition to control all aspects of the space value chain, from launch to satellite manufacturing and on-orbit services.
The acquisition is structured with an initial purchase price of $75 million, payable in either cash or Rocket Lab common stock, and includes a potential for an additional $75 million in performance-based earn-outs. This move will see Rocket Lab absorb Mynaric's extensive production assets, intellectual property, and a significant product backlog, establishing the company's first European base in Munich.
For Rocket Lab, the acquisition is a critical step in its vertical integration strategy. CEO Peter Beck has emphasized that this aligns with the company's long-term goal to pursue ''. Beck noted that laser communication has been a 'pain point for constellation operators' due to a lack of scalable and affordable products, a challenge Rocket Lab intends to solve by leveraging its manufacturing expertise to scale Mynaric's production.
The two companies are no strangers, as Mynaric is already a key supplier for Rocket Lab. Mynaric provides the CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals for Rocket Lab's significant to build 18 satellites. This existing relationship and a shared customer base across commercial and government sectors create clear synergies for the integration.
The deal comes after Mynaric completed a financial restructuring under German law, a process that saw its main creditor take ownership and paved the way for the acquisition. The transaction is now subject to necessary regulatory approvals. By bringing advanced laser communications technology in-house, Rocket Lab is positioning itself to not only serve its own satellite constellation ambitions but also to become a key merchant supplier for the broader space industry, addressing a critical bottleneck in the growing market for high-bandwidth, space-based data services.