Rocket Lab is buying Iridium’s satellite network for $8 billion to take on SpaceX

Rocket Lab, the space company best known for its small satellite launcher Electron, has announced plans to acquire Iridium Communications for $8 billion. The deal will combine Rocket Lab's launch services and spacecraft manufacturing with Iridium's satellite-based communications network, putting it in a better position to challenge SpaceX.

Iridium offers communications services to over 2.5 million subscribers around the globe. Its users tap into Iridium's constellation of 66 low-Earth orbit satellites and L-band spectrum to maintain contact with people on ships, aircraft, and in other remote locations. Iridium partnered with SpaceX to launc …

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