Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading global provider of launch services and space systems, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Geost, LLC, a Tucson-based developer and manufacturer of advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) payloads for national security satellites. The acquisition, valued at $275 million, will be paid through $125 million in cash and $150 million in Rocket Lab common stock, with up to an additional $50 million in potential earnout payments based on revenue milestones. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025.
This strategic acquisition marks Rocket Lab’s formal entry into the satellite payload market, reinforcing its position as a comprehensive provider of end-to-end space solutions tailored for national security applications.
With over 20 years of flight heritage on both classified and unclassified missions, Geost specializes in EO/IR sensor systems critical for missile warning and tracking, tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, Earth observation, and space domain awareness. These capabilities align closely with U.S. Department of Defense priorities, including architectures like Golden Dome and the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer.
Bringing Geost’s mission-critical payload expertise in-house enables Rocket Lab to deliver fully integrated spacecraft systems more rapidly and cost-effectively, while minimizing integration risks. This expansion enhances the company’s ability to provide responsive, precise, and resilient space solutions that empower warfighters and mission operators to operate effectively in contested environments.
The acquisition introduces a new Optical Systems category to Rocket Lab’s expanding portfolio, solidifying the company’s role as an innovator and disruptor in the national security space sector.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, said:
“Our goal has always been to revolutionize the space industry, and acquiring Geost takes us a significant step further by integrating advanced EO/IR payload technology directly into our offerings. This strengthens our ability to provide secure, responsive, and scalable space systems that detect and counter threats in real time, enhancing mission success for the U.S. and its allies.”
Bill Gattle, Geost’s General Manager and CEO of Lightridge Solutions, added:
“Joining Rocket Lab aligns perfectly with our vision to deliver high-performance optical technologies as part of a full-stack space systems provider. Rocket Lab’s infrastructure and scale will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge payloads for government and commercial missions alike.”
Upon completion, Rocket Lab will incorporate Geost’s extensive product lines, manufacturing facilities in Tucson and Northern Virginia, intellectual property, and over 115 skilled employees. This will increase Rocket Lab’s global workforce to more than 2,600 personnel across facilities and launch sites spanning the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and now Arizona.
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