|
Rocket Lab
Receives Regulatory Approval to Acquire
Mynaric
March 30, 2026
Rocket Lab
Corporation has received regulatory
approval to acquire Mynaric AG
(“Mynaric”), a leading provider of laser
optical communications terminals for
air, space, and mobile applications. The
transaction was reviewed and approved by
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic
Affairs and Energy and as a result,
Rocket Lab expects the transaction to
close in April.
“Receiving
regulatory approval is an important
milestone on the path to acquiring
Mynaric. We’re an exciting step closer
to expanding our ability to support the
German and European space industry at a
much greater level,” said Rocket Lab
founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck. “Laser
communications are a critical enabler
for the constellations of today and
tomorrow, and Rocket Lab is going to
make them available at scale. We look
forward to joining forces with the
Mynaric team so that we can make optical
terminals available at the volume and
pace that commercial and government
satellite customers demand across Europe
and our existing markets.”
Strategic
Importance of the Acquisition:
The acquisition is
expected to further strengthen Rocket
Lab’s proven capabilities as a leading
launch provider, spacecraft
manufacturer, and supplier of satellite
components at scale to the global space
market.
Laser communication
is a key enabler for satellite
constellations. It provides
transformative advantages over
traditional radio frequency
communications, including higher data
rates, increased security, scalability,
and efficient use of spectrum. Despite
these benefits, laser communication has
become a supply chain pain point for
constellation operators, with products
not readily available in high volumes at
affordable prices. Through previous
acquisitions Rocket Lab has a strong
track record of taking satellite
subsystems and components previously
only available in subscale quantities
and with long lead times and make them
affordable and available at scale.
Rocket Lab intends to do the same with
Mynaric’s optical terminals to serve a
growing list of customers and large
constellations.
Mynaric will
continue to be headquartered in Munich,
Germany, upon the transaction closing,
establishing Rocket Lab’s first European
footprint and enabling the Company to
expand its ability to support German and
broader European space programs.
Mynaric is already
a subcontractor to Rocket Lab, providing
CONDOR Mk3 optical communication
terminals for the Company’s $1.3 billion
prime contracts with the Space
Development Agency (SDA) to produce 36
satellites across the Transport
Layer-Beta Tranche 2 and Tracking Layer
Tranche 3 programs. Mynaric is also a
supplier to other SDA contracts, and
Mynaric and Rocket Lab share many
customers spanning commercial
constellation operators, satellite prime
contractors, and defense and civil
government agencies. Rocket Lab intends
to scale production and introduce
efficiencies to Mynaric’s existing
manufacturing capability, providing
customers with improved confidence their
terminals will be delivered on schedule
and on budget.
|