On June 30, Rocket Lab USA rose 3.16% in after-hours trading to $101.07 per share, with turnover of $132 million, extending the strong momentum from regular trading where the stock surged over 13%.

On the news front, Rocket Lab announced a definitive agreement to acquire Iridium Communications in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $8 billion, offering $54 per share for all outstanding Iridium common stock. The transaction aims to combine Rocket Lab's rocket launch and satellite manufacturing capabilities with Iridium's global satellite communications network, L-band spectrum assets, and ecosystem of over 500 partners, creating a vertically integrated aerospace enterprise positioned to compete with SpaceX. To finance the deal, Rocket Lab secured a $3.6 billion 364-day senior secured bridge term loan commitment from Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo, with the remaining cash portion to be funded through balance sheet cash and other debt and equity financing. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2027. The broader space sector rallied on the news, with Iridium surging over 21% and peers such as AST SpaceMobile and Planet Labs also posting significant gains.

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