$8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications, Rocket Lab creates' space loop ', challenges SpaceX head-on BlockBeats News: On June 30th, Rocket Lab announced on Monday that it will acquire satellite communication service provider Iridium Communications (IRDM. O) for approximately $8 billion, with the transaction expected to be completed by mid-2027. Shareholders of Iridium Communications will receive $27 in cash and company stock per share, with a total value of $54, representing a 24.1% premium over the previous trading day. This acquisition will integrate Rocket Lab's launch and satellite manufacturing business, Iridium Communications' global L-band satellite network, authorized spectrum resources, and over 2.5 million government, defense, aviation, maritime, and commercial customers, forming a vertical integration model similar to SpaceX and Starlink. This is Rocket Lab's fourth acquisition of the year, and analysts believe that the deal will immediately give the company a mature customer base and distribution network, whose value may exceed that of hardware and spectrum resources themselves. To pay the cash portion, the company has received a $3.6 billion bridge loan commitment from Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo. It is worth noting that this transaction coincides with SpaceX's completion of the world's largest IPO of $86 billion this month, continuing to expand its satellite communication and AI infrastructure businesses, and SpaceX has previously reached an agreement to acquire EchoStar spectrum resources. Under the wave of integration in the aerospace industry, Rocket Lab is attempting to challenge SpaceX's leading position in satellite communication with a closed-loop layout of "launch+satellite network". [Original link]