Rocket Lab Acquires Geost
Long Beach, California – August 12, 2025 – Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) ('Rocket Lab' or the 'Company'), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has completed the acquisition of the parent holding company of Geost, LLC ('Geost'), a leading developer of electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems for national security space missions, from Lightridge Solutions, a portfolio company of ATL Partners. The acquisition, first announced on May 27, 2025, was completed for $275 million before closing adjustments, comprising approximately $125 million in cash and 3,057,588 shares of Rocket Lab common stock, with an additional potential earnout of up to $50 million tied to future revenue targets of Geost's business.
With the closing of the transaction, Rocket Lab secures its status as a disruptive prime contractor for next-generation defense initiatives like the Golden Dome for America concept, and the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, adding Optical Systems to its portfolio of capabilities as a provider of complete, mission-ready spacecraft for U.S. national security programs.
Geost's EO/IR technologies support missile warning and tracking, tactical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, Earth observation, and space domain awareness, core capabilities critical to U.S. space assets operating in increasingly contested environments. Founded in 2004, Geost brings a proven record of performance across classified and unclassified missions, supplying resilient payloads that enhance national security and space situational awareness. In combining with Rocket Lab, Geost will tap into the Company's resources and manufacturing expertise to boost high-volume production, making EO/IR technologies available at scale.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: 'Being able to quickly build and deploy entire satellite systems is the cornerstone of future U.S. defense strategy, and with this acquisition, we're accelerating the delivery of mission critical payloads that support U.S. national security projects. This acquisition strengthens our role in building the resilient, responsive space architecture envisioned under Golden Dome, combining Geost's proven sensing technologies with Rocket Lab's ability to scale fast, secure, and integrated space solutions.'
Bill Gattle, CEO of Lightridge Solutions, adds: 'This is a pivotal next step for Geost. Becoming part of Rocket Lab enables Geost to take its sensing technologies further, faster—joining forces with a company that's redefining space system delivery. Geost is excited to partner with a team that shares a commitment to speed, innovation, and national purpose. Together, Geost and Rocket Lab can scale production, accelerate delivery, and strengthen the critical space capabilities our nation depends on.'
Geost will continue to operate in Arizona and Virginia, expanding Rocket Lab's footprint across North America. In acquiring Geost, Rocket Lab will gain the company's extensive product assets and manufacturing facilities and laboratories, intellectual property, and product inventory.
+About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, the HASTE suborbital launch vehicle for hypersonic tests, a family of flight proven spacecraft, and the larger Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually. Rocket Lab has deployed 200+ payloads from its launch sites in the United States and New Zealand for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab's family of spacecraft have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabcorp.com.
Founded in 2004, Geost, LLC, a LightRidge Solutions Company and portfolio company of ATL Partners, is a rapidly growing producer of affordable high-performance optical systems for critical national security space missions. The company has served its core National Security Space customer base since its founding and employs over 100 high performing professionals. For more information on Geost visit: https://www.geost.com.
+About ATL Partners:
Founded in 2014, ATL Partners is a premier sector-focused private equity firm that invests in commercial aerospace, national security, and transportation & logistics companies. ATL brings deep sector expertise to its investment approach with experienced investment professionals and strong operating executives who have decades of combined experience in each of ATL's core sectors. For more information about ATL Partners, visit https://www.atlpartners.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Scoop
Wanted: Older People For New Research
People aged 60 and over are needed for research involving a robot designed to boost their memory and intellectual skills. University of Auckland Master of Robotics and Automation Engineering student Zahra Ally is looking for about 30 participants for her research with iRobi. 'This is a tiny robot, about 50cm tall, that can dance and move around – it's very cute. 'It can talk and make sounds and has been especially designed for older people and children,' says Ally, who is supported by the University's Centre for Co-created Ageing Research. The 24-year-old hopes to bring her study to people in Auckland who are suffering from mild cognitive decline or dementia. Having worked as a software designer at Rocket Lab, Ally is developing a new game for iRobi to offer. 'The game will assess people with cognitive decline or early symptoms of dementia. 'Hopefully it will help older people stay mentally sharp for longer,' she says. The research launching next month will involve up to three sessions of about 30 minutes with older people in their own homes or care facilities. Ally will use their feedback about iRobi to co-create a tool that meets their needs. 'Co-creation is about partnership and giving older people dignity and a voice. 'Their feedback is valuable, because when you're designing technology for older people, it's a different ballgame. 'We need to make sure they want to use the technology and they're comfortable using it.' Ally plans to complete the research project in December, but is keen to further her studies with a PhD. 'This could include a longitudinal study to test if iRobi and the cognitive games minimise symptoms of cognitive decline or dementia.' First-hand experience with a grandfather who suffered from Alzheimer's disease inspired Ally to pursue her research path. 'Having witnessed someone with Alzheimer's for many years, I realised how important it is to try to help people with dementia. It was a very sad thing to see,' she says. Although robots are becoming increasingly advanced, Ally says they won't be taking over the roles of human caregivers anytime soon. 'This is a support tool and not a replacement for caregivers. 'Hopefully, it will help the older people's overall wellbeing and help the people who are taking care of them too.' zall683@
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Scoop
Wanted: Older People For New Research
Press Release – University of Auckland People aged 60 and over are needed for research involving a robot designed to boost their memory and intellectual skills. University of Auckland Master of Robotics and Automation Engineering student Zahra Ally is looking for about 30 participants for her research with iRobi. 'This is a tiny robot, about 50cm tall, that can dance and move around – it's very cute. 'It can talk and make sounds and has been especially designed for older people and children,' says Ally, who is supported by the University's Centre for Co-created Ageing Research. The 24-year-old hopes to bring her study to people in Auckland who are suffering from mild cognitive decline or dementia. Having worked as a software designer at Rocket Lab, Ally is developing a new game for iRobi to offer. 'The game will assess people with cognitive decline or early symptoms of dementia. 'Hopefully it will help older people stay mentally sharp for longer,' she says. The research launching next month will involve up to three sessions of about 30 minutes with older people in their own homes or care facilities. Ally will use their feedback about iRobi to co-create a tool that meets their needs. 'Co-creation is about partnership and giving older people dignity and a voice. 'Their feedback is valuable, because when you're designing technology for older people, it's a different ballgame. 'We need to make sure they want to use the technology and they're comfortable using it.' Ally plans to complete the research project in December, but is keen to further her studies with a PhD. 'This could include a longitudinal study to test if iRobi and the cognitive games minimise symptoms of cognitive decline or dementia.' First-hand experience with a grandfather who suffered from Alzheimer's disease inspired Ally to pursue her research path. 'Having witnessed someone with Alzheimer's for many years, I realised how important it is to try to help people with dementia. It was a very sad thing to see,' she says. Although robots are becoming increasingly advanced, Ally says they won't be taking over the roles of human caregivers anytime soon. 'This is a support tool and not a replacement for caregivers. 'Hopefully, it will help the older people's overall wellbeing and help the people who are taking care of them too.'
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Results season confidence drives NZ sharemarket up
'New Zealand is still not really into the heart of results season, so I think it's pretty much still wait-and-see mode ahead of results,' Goodson said. 'There was a bit of a strange lead from the US overnight. Their market rallied quite strongly despite the fact that inflation data was a touch higher than expected.' On the main board, Goodson pointed to Napier Port's strong nine-month result, despite its share price falling 1.89% to $3.12. The business reported its revenue increased 16.4% to $42.5m from $36.5m in the same period last year. 'They're clearly seeing extremely good export volumes at present, so they've reiterated guidance at the top end of their guidance range. 'The stock has been very strong in recent months, partly on the improved macro outlook, partly on index inclusions, but I think that result certainly strengthened the name.' Elsewhere, Infratil had a minor independent valuation update. Its share price dipped 0.005c to $11.78. Vital Healthcare Property Trust's share price lifted 0.51% to $1.99 after it released its full-year financials. Goodson said Vital's gearing was relatively high at almost 42% on a committed basis, with no significant progress on further investments. 'The Australian healthcare property sector is in a real state of turmoil at the moment due to the receivership of Healthscope, the second-largest hospital chain in Australia. 'Investors just have some question marks about the rental affordability for some of the hospital tenants and the valuations attached to some of the hospital assets in Australia.' Meanwhile, My Food Bag investors sold off in high volume today after the company gave an update to the market at its annual general meeting. While the business's revenue growth continued – with sales up 3.8% over the first four months of trading compared with the same period last year – gross margins for the first half of 2026 were expected to be below those for the first half of this year because its price increases have lagged food price inflation. My Food Bag shares fell 4% or 1c to 24c after 545,194 shares changed hands. Wall Street stocks surged to fresh records on Tuesday local time after US data showed stable inflation despite worries over President Donald Trump's tariffs, lifting expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Major indices spent the entire session in positive territory, with both the broad-based S&P 500 and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index finishing at fresh records. 'We're in a bull market,' said Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments. 'The bulls are strong and getting stronger.' The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 1.1% at 44,458.61. The S&P 500 also gained 1.1% to 6445.76, while the Nasdaq jumped 1.4% to 21,681.90. The consumer price index rose 2.7% from a year ago in July, the same rate as in June. – Additional reporting AFP Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
