By Omid Alizadah (Monash University) Photo: Kevin Stadnyk (Unsplash) Overview of the deal Acquirer: Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) Target: Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) Implied Equity Value: USD ~$5.7 billion ($54.00 per share) Total Transaction Size: USD ~$8.0 billion (enterprise value) Closed date: Announced 29 June 2026, expected to close mid-2027 Target advisor: Evercore (financial); Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (legal); Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP (regu