LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or the "Company"), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced substantial milestones in connection with its previously announced proposed acquisition of Iridium Communications Inc. ("Iridium").
Regulatory Clearance and Filings
Rocket Lab announced today that the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ("HSR"), in connection with its pending acquisition of Iridium expired at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 12, 2026.
Rocket Lab also today filed its Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") related to the Iridium acquisition to register the Rocket Lab securities to be delivered to Iridium shareholders to satisfy the equity consideration at the closing of the transaction. The filing of the registration statement represents a substantial step in the process toward completing the proposed transaction. The registration statement has not yet become effective, and the securities described in it may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.
Rocket Lab further announced that on August 10, 2026, Rocket Lab and Iridium filed with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") applications seeking its consent to transfer control of Iridium's licenses and authorizations to Rocket Lab.
Sir Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, says: "Filing the Form S-4 and the FCC applications and receiving U.S. antitrust clearance are all major steps for us in the execution timeline for the Iridium acquisition. These milestones continue to pave the way toward the completion of this transformative transaction that will position Rocket Lab to accelerate our future into space applications."
Capital Strategy
As previously reported, in connection with signing the definitive merger agreement to acquire Iridium, Rocket Lab entered into a commitment letter with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch for a 364-day senior secured bridge term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $3.6 billion.
The Company intends to replace the commitments for the bridge facility through a combination of permanent debt and equity financing sources.
As part of its financing strategy, Rocket Lab announced today that, together with Iridium, it intends to seek certain amendments to Iridium's existing term loan credit facility with an aggregate amount of $1.775 billion outstanding as of June 30, 2026, which would allow the Iridium facility to remain in place following Rocket Lab's acquisition, and which would reduce the Company's debt commitments correspondingly at much more attractive rates than the bridge facility terms. Such amendments, if completed, will require the consent of lenders under Iridium's facility, and there is no assurance at this time that the Company will obtain such consents.
The Company also separately announced today a new at the market program that replaces the Company's May 2026 program and carries forward the unsold offering amount under that prior program. Amounts raised under the new program are intended to reduce the remaining commitments under the bridge loan through equity transactions.
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) is an end-to-end space company delivering rockets, satellites, and spacecraft components for commercial, government, and defense missions. Driven by its industry-leading small-lift rockets Electron and HASTE and its upcoming reusable Neutron medium-lift rocket, Rocket Lab delivers reliable and responsive launch for the world's most important missions from constellation deployment to missile defense. Rocket Lab's satellites and components have powered more than 1,700 missions in Earth orbit, as well as deep-space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication is being made in respect of a proposed transaction involving Rocket Lab Corporation ("Rocket Lab") and Iridium Communications Inc. ("Iridium"). In connection with the proposed transaction, Rocket Lab has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that includes the proxy statement of Iridium that will also constitute a prospectus of Rocket Lab, but which is not yet effective. When the proxy statement/prospectus is finalized, it will be sent to the stockholders of Iridium seeking their approval of certain transaction-related proposals. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents which Rocket Lab or Iridium may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.
Rocket Lab may not sell the common stock referenced in the proxy statement/prospectus until the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC becomes effective. The preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and this communication are not offers to sell any securities, are not soliciting an offer to buy any securities in any state where the offer and sale is not permitted and are not a solicitation of any vote or approval.
ROCKET LAB AND IRIDIUM URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE RELATED PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED THEREIN AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these materials (when they are available and filed) free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Rocket Lab (when they become available) may be obtained free of charge on Rocket Lab's website at https://investors.rocketlabcorp.com/financial-information/sec-filings or by contacting Rocket Lab's Investor Relations Department at investors@rocketlabusa.com. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Iridium (when they become available) may be obtained free of charge on Iridium's website at https://investor.iridium.com/sec-filings by contacting Iridium's Investor Relations Department at investor.relations@iridium.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Robert H. Niehaus, Louis M. Alterman, Thomas C. Canfield, Matthew J. Desch, Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, L. Anthony Frazier, Suzanne E. McBride, Eric T. Olson, Kay N. Sears, Monique S. Shivanandan and Jacqueline E. Yeaney, all of whom are members of Iridium's board of directors, and Vincent J. O'Neill, Iridium's chief financial officer, may be considered participants in Iridium's solicitation. Information regarding such participants, including their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on August 13, 2026. Rocket Lab may also be deemed to be a participant in Iridium's solicitation; information regarding Rocket Lab is included in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on August 13, 2026. Copies of these documents may be obtained, free of charge, from the SEC or Iridium as described in the preceding paragraph.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based on Rocket Lab's and Iridium's current expectations, estimates and projections about the proposed transaction and the potential benefits thereof, its business and industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by Rocket Lab and Iridium, all of which are subject to change. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future events, including future business and financial performance and financial condition. All forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and are not guarantees of future results, such as statements about the consummation of the proposed transaction and the anticipated benefits thereof, expectations regarding regulatory approvals, and intentions with respect to financing the transaction. These and other forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) the completion of the proposed transaction on anticipated terms and timing, or at all, including obtaining stockholder and regulatory approvals and satisfying other conditions to the completion of the transaction; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including the receipt by Iridium of an unsolicited proposal from a third party; (iii) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction on a timely basis or at all, including anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, the integration of the businesses of Rocket Lab and Iridium, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of Rocket Lab's and Iridium's businesses; (iv) Rocket Lab's and Iridium's ability to implement their
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