Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) has completed its $275 million acquisition of Geost, LLC from LightRidge Solutions, an ATL Partners portfolio company. The transaction, first announced on May 27, 2025, includes approximately $125 million in cash, 3,057,588 shares of Rocket Lab common stock, and a potential earnout of up to $50 million tied to Geost’s future revenue performance.
The deal expands Rocket Lab’s capabilities beyond launch and spacecraft manufacturing to include advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) payloads. Geost specializes in sensor systems used for missile warning and tracking, tactical intelligence, Earth observation, and space domain awareness—technologies considered vital for U.S. defense and the protection of assets in contested space environments. By integrating these capabilities, Rocket Lab strengthens its position as a prime contractor for key national defense programs, including the Golden Dome for America initiative and the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said the acquisition will accelerate the company’s ability to deliver mission-critical payloads quickly, an increasingly important factor in building a resilient and responsive space architecture for U.S. defense. Bill Gattle, CEO of LightRidge Solutions, added that joining Rocket Lab will allow Geost to scale its sensing technologies more rapidly, benefiting from shared speed, innovation, and commitment to national security.
Geost will continue operating from its facilities in Arizona and Virginia, giving Rocket Lab access to its manufacturing plants, laboratories, product inventory, and intellectual property. This added infrastructure will enable Rocket Lab to bring EO/IR payloads to market at greater scale, further solidifying its role as a comprehensive provider of space solutions for both launch and payload needs.
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