Rocket Lab Announces Intention to Acquire Mynaric, Leading Laser Communications Provider, in Latest Strategic Step Toward Becoming an End-to-End Space Company
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has entered into a non-binding term sheet to acquire a controlling stake in Mynaric AG, a leading laser optical communications provider. The initial purchase price is expected to be $75 million, with potential additional earn-out consideration of up to $75 million based on future revenue targets.
The acquisition would give Rocket Lab its first European foothold in Munich, Germany, adding a team of 300+ engineers and staff. Mynaric is already a subcontractor to Rocket Lab, providing CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals for the Company's $515 million Space Development Agency contract.
The deal is subject to Mynaric's completion of previously announced StaRUG restructuring proceedings under German law, regulatory approvals, and due diligence. Rocket Lab aims to scale production and introduce efficiencies to Mynaric's manufacturing capability, making laser communication terminals affordable and available at scale for constellation operators.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha stipulato un accordo di non vincolante per acquisire una partecipazione di controllo in Mynaric AG, un fornitore leader di comunicazioni ottiche laser. Il prezzo di acquisto iniziale è previsto essere di 75 milioni di dollari, con un potenziale ulteriore guadagno di fino a 75 milioni di dollari in base agli obiettivi di fatturato futuri.
L'acquisizione darebbe a Rocket Lab il suo primo avamposto europeo a Monaco, in Germania, aggiungendo un team di oltre 300 ingegneri e personale. Mynaric è già un subappaltatore di Rocket Lab, fornendo terminali di comunicazione ottica CONDOR Mk3 per il contratto della società con la Space Development Agency del valore di 515 milioni di dollari.
L'accordo è soggetto al completamento da parte di Mynaric delle procedure di ristrutturazione StaRUG precedentemente annunciate secondo la legge tedesca, alle approvazioni regolatorie e alla due diligence. Rocket Lab mira a scalare la produzione e introdurre efficienze nella capacità produttiva di Mynaric, rendendo i terminali di comunicazione laser accessibili e disponibili su larga scala per gli operatori di costellazioni.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) ha entrado en un acuerdo de términos no vinculante para adquirir una participación de control en Mynaric AG, un proveedor líder de comunicaciones ópticas láser. Se espera que el precio de compra inicial sea de 75 millones de dólares, con una posible consideración adicional de hasta 75 millones de dólares basada en objetivos de ingresos futuros.
La adquisición le daría a Rocket Lab su primer punto de apoyo europeo en Múnich, Alemania, añadiendo un equipo de más de 300 ingenieros y personal. Mynaric ya es un subcontratista de Rocket Lab, proporcionando terminales de comunicación óptica CONDOR Mk3 para el contrato de la compañía con la Space Development Agency por un valor de 515 millones de dólares.
El acuerdo está sujeto a la finalización por parte de Mynaric de los procedimientos de reestructuración StaRUG previamente anunciados bajo la ley alemana, a las aprobaciones regulatorias y a la debida diligencia. Rocket Lab tiene como objetivo escalar la producción e introducir eficiencias en la capacidad de fabricación de Mynaric, haciendo que los terminales de comunicación láser sean asequibles y estén disponibles a gran escala para los operadores de constelaciones.
로켓랩 (RKLB)은 미나릭 AG의 지배 지분을 인수하기 위한 비구속 조건 시트를 체결했습니다. 미나릭은 선도적인 레이저 광통신 제공업체입니다. 초기 구매가는 7,500만 달러로 예상되며, 향후 수익 목표에 따라 최대 7,500만 달러의 추가 수익이 발생할 수 있습니다.
이번 인수로 로켓랩은 독일 뮌헨에 첫 유럽 거점을 확보하게 되며, 300명 이상의 엔지니어와 직원이 추가됩니다. 미나릭은 이미 로켓랩의 하청업체로, 회사의 5억 1,500만 달러 규모의 우주 개발 기관 계약을 위해 CONDOR Mk3 광통신 단말기를 제공하고 있습니다.
이번 거래는 미나릭이 독일 법에 따라 이전에 발표된 StaRUG 구조조정 절차를 완료하고, 규제 승인을 받으며, 실사를 수행하는 조건에 따라 진행됩니다. 로켓랩은 미나릭의 제조 능력을 확대하고 효율성을 도입하여 레이저 통신 단말기를 저렴하고 대규모로 제공할 수 있도록 할 계획입니다.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) a signé une feuille de termes non contraignante pour acquérir une participation majoritaire dans Mynaric AG, un fournisseur de communication optique laser de premier plan. Le prix d'achat initial est prévu à 75 millions de dollars, avec une éventuelle considération supplémentaire de jusqu'à 75 millions de dollars basée sur des objectifs de revenus futurs.
L'acquisition donnerait à Rocket Lab son premier point d'ancrage européen à Munich, en Allemagne, ajoutant une équipe de plus de 300 ingénieurs et personnel. Mynaric est déjà un sous-traitant de Rocket Lab, fournissant des terminaux de communication optique CONDOR Mk3 pour le contrat de la société avec la Space Development Agency d'une valeur de 515 millions de dollars.
L'accord est soumis à l'achèvement par Mynaric des procédures de restructuration StaRUG précédemment annoncées en vertu de la loi allemande, aux approbations réglementaires et à la due diligence. Rocket Lab vise à augmenter la production et à introduire des efficacités dans la capacité de fabrication de Mynaric, rendant les terminaux de communication laser abordables et disponibles à grande échelle pour les opérateurs de constellations.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) hat eine nicht verbindliche Absichtserklärung zur Übernahme einer Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Mynaric AG, einem führenden Anbieter von laseroptischen Kommunikationslösungen, unterzeichnet. Der anfängliche Kaufpreis wird auf 75 Millionen Dollar geschätzt, mit einer möglichen zusätzlichen Earn-out-Beteiligung von bis zu 75 Millionen Dollar, basierend auf zukünftigen Umsatzzielen.
Die Übernahme würde Rocket Lab den ersten europäischen Standort in München, Deutschland, verschaffen und ein Team von über 300 Ingenieuren und Mitarbeitern hinzufügen. Mynaric ist bereits ein Subunternehmer von Rocket Lab und liefert CONDOR Mk3 optische Kommunikationsterminals für den Vertrag der Firma mit der Space Development Agency im Wert von 515 Millionen Dollar.
Der Deal steht unter dem Vorbehalt, dass Mynaric die zuvor angekündigten StaRUG-Umstrukturierungsverfahren nach deutschem Recht abschließt, die regulatorischen Genehmigungen erhält und die Due Diligence durchführt. Rocket Lab beabsichtigt, die Produktion zu skalieren und Effizienzen in die Fertigungskapazitäten von Mynaric einzuführen, um die Laserkommunikationsterminals erschwinglich und in großem Maßstab für Betreiber von Konstellationen verfügbar zu machen.
- Strategic acquisition valued at $75M, a fraction of $300M+ invested in Mynaric to date
- Adds optical communications capability for constellation operations
- Secures key supplier for $515M Space Development Agency contract
- Establishes European presence with 300+ skilled personnel
- Potential for additional revenue-based earnout of up to $75M
- Non-binding agreement with multiple closing conditions
- May require equity offering to fund acquisition
- Subject to regulatory approval risks
- Acquisition contingent on completion of Mynaric's restructuring process
Insights
This acquisition move represents a strategic coup for Rocket Lab, potentially acquiring distressed but valuable laser communications technology at a significant discount. The
What's particularly compelling is how this acquisition addresses a critical supply chain bottleneck. Laser communication terminals are essential for modern satellite constellations but currently face availability and pricing challenges. By vertically integrating this technology, Rocket Lab can both secure their supply for internal needs and create a new revenue stream by scaling production for external customers.
The acquisition also strengthens Rocket Lab's existing
Though still subject to Mynaric's restructuring process and regulatory approvals, this move accelerates Rocket Lab's transformation from a launch provider to a fully integrated space company controlling the entire value chain. The most profitable segment in space isn't launching rockets but operating high-value constellations delivering data services—this acquisition represents a critical building block for that future.
This potential acquisition represents Rocket Lab's most significant strategic evolution yet—positioning them beyond launch and satellite manufacturing into the highest-value segment of space: constellations providing data services. While competitors focus on individual segments, Rocket Lab is executing a comprehensive vertical integration strategy that could dramatically increase their addressable market.
Laser communication technology isn't merely another component—it's the critical networking infrastructure enabling modern satellite constellations to function as cohesive systems rather than isolated platforms. By controlling this technology, Rocket Lab gains both competitive advantage for their own constellation ambitions and establishing themselves as a key supplier for virtually all major constellation operators.
The timing is particularly opportunistic. Mynaric has developed valuable technology but faced financial challenges, allowing Rocket Lab to potentially acquire
What's particularly strategic is how this complements their existing business. Rocket Lab already manufactures satellites and components at scale while serving major government customers like the Space Development Agency. Adding Mynaric's laser terminals creates immediate cross-selling opportunities while strengthening delivery capabilities for existing contracts. The European foothold also opens access to ESA and European defense contracts previously difficult to secure.
This acquisition, if completed, cements Rocket Lab's evolution from a pure launch provider to potentially the most vertically integrated space company in the industry.
Rocket Lab recently executed a non-binding term sheet to acquire a controlling ownership stake in Mynaric subject to completing a previously announced restructuring plan and regulatory review process
The acquisition, if accomplished, is expected to further strengthen Rocket Lab’s proven capabilities as a leading launch provider, spacecraft manufacturer, and supplier of satellite components at scale. Rocket Lab may fund this and other future acquisition opportunities with proceeds from equity offerings.
Strategic Importance of the Deal:
- Laser communication has become a pain point for constellation operators, with products not readily available in high volumes at an affordable price. Through previous acquisitions Rocket Lab has proven its ability to take satellite subsystems and components previously only available in subscale quantities 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.
-
With an initial purchase price expected to be approximately
$75 million $300 million Munich, Germany , with a team of 300+ talented engineers and staff, opening up incremental European growth opportunities across Rocket Lab’s products and services offerings.
- Rocket Lab would acquire extensive production assets, Intellectual Property, product inventory and committed backlog related to satellite-to-satellite optical connectivity solutions for next generation constellations, augmenting Rocket Lab’s already extensive portfolio of satellite components, subsystems and software. This acquisition, if completed, would support Rocket Lab’s ability to further vertically integrate the manufacture and management of its own future high-value satellite application ambitions.
A key driver for this proposed acquisition is that Mynaric is already a subcontractor to Rocket Lab, providing CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals for the Company’s
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said: “We have been very clear about this strategic direction for several years now – Rocket Lab is pursuing every part of the space value chain. We launch our own rockets, we build satellites in constellation volumes, and now we’re closing in on the final step and most valuable part of the space economy – operating our own constellations to provide data and services from space using our newly announced Flatellite spacecraft. Mynaric has paved the way in developing laser technology. Their team and technologies will make a compelling addition to our satellite component portfolio and we look forward to making the technology available at scale for our own constellations and those of our customers.”
The non-binding term sheet entered into with the Lenders provides for a proposed acquisition of Mynaric by Rocket Lab following the completion of the StaRUG Restructuring on terms acceptable to Rocket Lab. After the completion of the StaRUG Restructuring and subject to execution of a definitive agreement, Rocket Lab would acquire
The non-binding term sheet provides for an exclusive negotiating period between Rocket Lab and the Lenders and is subject to completion of customary due diligence by Rocket Lab and the negotiation and entry into a definitive purchase agreement between the parties. The definitive agreement will also include customary covenants and closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals and termination rights. There can be no assurances that Rocket Lab will enter into a definitive agreement or complete the acquisition. Mynaric is not a party to the non-binding term sheet and Rocket Lab is not offering to acquire and will not acquire any of the currently outstanding equity interests of Mynaric AG. Among other conditions, the proposed acquisition will be conditioned on the completion of the StaRUG Restructuring and prior elimination of all such outstanding equity interests without any consideration, as contemplated by Mynaric’s previously announced StaRUG Restructuring plan.
About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential acquisition of Mynaric AG from its existing lenders, the terms and conditions of any such potential acquisition, whether such acquisition will occur on the terms set forth in the non-binding term sheet, if at all, and the impact of the acquisition on Rocket Lab’s current and future product offerings and business are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risks that Rocket Lab and the Lenders will not be able to negotiate and enter into a definitive purchase agreement for the Mynaric business on terms set forth in the non-binding term sheet or at all, the risk that Mynaric’s StaRUG Restructuring is not approved by the German courts or material modified from current expectations, regulatory and other risks associated with Rocket Lab’s ability to complete such an acquisition even if a definitive purchase agreement is executed, litigation and other risks associated with Mynaric’s StaRUG Restructuring, and other factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates and expectations as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
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Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
FAQ
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