Rocket Lab's $1.3B Mynaric Deal Wins German Regulatory Green Light
Rocket Lab USA has cleared a major hurdle in its plan to acquire Mynaric AG, a German specialist in laser communication for satellites. The company received regulatory approval from Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The deal, set to close in April 2026, will strengthen Rocket Lab's position in space-based data transmission and expand its European operations. Mynaric focuses on optical inter-satellite link (OISL) terminals, which use lasers to transfer data between satellites in orbit. The acquisition will give Rocket Lab control over a supply chain tied to roughly $1.3 billion in contracts with the U.S. Space Development Agency. Beyond this, the company has also secured a separate $190 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense for 20 hypersonic flight tests.
The transaction will establish Rocket Lab's European presence, opening doors to contracts with the European Space Agency (ESA) and military programmes. Investor confidence in the deal was evident when Rocket Lab's shares rose by 5.4% in pre-market trading on Monday, March 31. Analyst Erik Rasmussen of Stifel maintained a Buy rating for the stock, setting a price target of $90. Since announcing the Mynaric acquisition on March 13, 2024, Rocket Lab's market value has surged from about $2.2 billion to nearly $4.8 billion by March 31, 2026. This 118% increase reflects successful launches, new contracts, and the integration of Mynaric's laser technology into its offerings.
The completed deal will solidify Rocket Lab's role in satellite communication and defence contracts. With regulatory approval now secured, the company is on track to finalise the acquisition by April 2026. The move is expected to enhance its capabilities in both commercial and government space programmes.
