U.S. Small Rocket Company Acquires European Base with Satellite Laser Communication

Rocket Lab Corp. (RKLB) announced on April 14 that it has completed its acquisition of Germany-based satellite laser-communications firm Mynaric AG for approximately $155 million (about KRW 200 billion). Mynaric will serve as Rocket Lab’s European headquarters in Munich and its laser optical-communication technology will be integrated into Rocket Lab’s space-systems portfolio. On March 17, the company also entered into an equity-distribution agreement allowing for flexible issuance of up to $1 billion (roughly KRW 1.3 trillion) in common shares, broadening its funding options for future growth investments and acquisitions. In conjunction with this agreement, Rocket Lab granted long-term, service-contingent stock-based awards to its chief legal and compliance officer.

Since then, Rocket Lab has issued a portion of those shares, raising about $474 million (around KRW 600 billion). During this process, daily trading volume in RKLB shares exceeded $1 billion, placing the company among the most actively traded stocks on U.S. exchanges. In addition, Rocket Lab has continued to expand its small-satellite-only launch order book, securing three more Electron launch contracts with Japan’s iQPS through 2028.

Based in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab is a space-technology company that offers the Electron small-satellite launch vehicle, satellite platforms and components, and is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker RKLB. Recently, the company has diversified beyond launch services into satellite manufacturing, space-grade components and laser communications, strengthening its vertical integration. Amid competition from SpaceX and emerging small-launch providers, Rocket Lab is solidifying its position as an end-to-end supplier of space systems in the global space-infrastructure market.