Rocket Lab has successfully completed its acquisition of Mynaric, a German company specializing in laser optical communication terminals for space, aerial, and mobile applications. The deal, announced on April 14, 2026, was valued at a total of $155.3 million, comprising a nominal cash payment and 2,277,002 ordinary Rocket Lab shares.
This acquisition marks a significant step in Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy. Already active in launch services, satellite manufacturing, and space component supply, the company now aims to bring laser inter-satellite link technology, increasingly crucial for satellite constellations, in-house. Rocket Lab’s objective is to enhance Mynaric’s production capacity and ensure these terminals are available in greater volumes and with faster delivery times for both commercial and government clients.
Optical communications enable the transfer of large data volumes between satellites without continuous reliance on ground stations, a critical capability for extensive constellations and military or surveillance networks. This technology has seen growing importance in both institutional and commercial space programs in recent years.
Furthermore, on April 14, Rocket Lab introduced a new line of Hall-effect thrusters named Gauss. These are in-house electric propulsion engines for satellites, expanding the company’s range of satellite products and technologies.
A Laborious but Strategic Acquisition
Rocket Lab’s acquisition of Mynaric was a lengthy process, largely due to the thorough review conducted by the German government before granting approval. There was a possibility of invoking a “golden power” to retain an important company for defense and strategic matters nationally. However, the acquisition was ultimately confirmed.
A key aspect of this deal is the pre-existing relationship between the two companies. Mynaric had been supplying Rocket Lab with its CONDOR Mk3 terminals for the 36 satellites the company is building for the Space Development Agency. These satellites are part of contracts worth a total of $1.3 billion for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This collaboration, according to Rocket Lab, provided direct insight into both the technology itself and the production scaling challenges within the sector.
The acquisition also follows a challenging period for Mynaric. In 2025, the company underwent financial restructuring under a German StaRUG procedure, which concluded with a capital reduction to zero and the delisting of its shares. For Rocket Lab, this transaction not only signifies entry into the optical terminal market but also the opportunity to absorb industrial capacity already integrated into the supply chains of Western space programs.
Mynaric will continue to maintain its headquarters in Munich, Bavaria. This acquisition also represents Rocket Lab’s first industrial presence in Europe, a move that could bolster its involvement in German and European programs, as well as in the defense and satellite constellation markets.
