Globalstar Joins FCC Pushback on Rocket Lab's $8 Billion Iridium Takeover

Globalstar has asked the Federal Communications Commission to scrutinize Rocket Lab's proposed acquisition of Iridium Communications more closely, echoing concerns earlier raised by SpaceX and Ligado. Rocket Lab and Iridium countered by urging the agency to approve the transaction promptly, arguing the objections predate the merger and belong in separate proceedings.

The dispute centers on how the combined company would operate, with Globalstar warning that Rocket Lab's existing role as a satellite supplier could become a competitive liability once it owns a rival operator. Globalstar did not formally oppose the merger but called for tighter review. Rocket Lab and Iridium said the deal would lower costs, accelerate network upgrades, and support a next-generation constellation with 20 times as many beams per satellite.

In its Friday filing, Globalstar pointed to Rocket Lab's access to its spacecraft designs, operational processes, and delivery schedules through a $143 million subcontract via MDA to build 17 satellite platforms. The first eight of those reached orbit in August. "Today, Rocket Lab's interests align with Globalstar's success; after it acquires Iridium, however, that same supplier relationship will give Rocket Lab both the incentive and the means to advantage Iridium at a competitor's expense," Globalstar said. The company urged the Commission to require the applicants to address the risks directly rather than rely on general claims that integration is beneficial.

Globalstar also accused Iridium of repeatedly seeking access to its licensed mobile-satellite spectrum through filings that disrupted its business, citing a 2013 petition withdrawn in 2017 and a December 2025 petition the FCC dismissed in April 2026. It further flagged concerns about interference between Iridium's transmissions and radio astronomy observations.

In a separate joint reply last week, Rocket Lab and Iridium said the SpaceX and Ligado concerns involve matters unrelated to the merger. "Both parties concede that the issues underlying their filings predate the Transaction, and neither filing provides any basis to conclude that the Transaction would affect, much less exacerbate, those issues," the companies said. They noted that SpaceX's concerns involve coordination of satellite ground stations, while Ligado's relate to potential interference from its proposed operations. The companies said SpaceX does not oppose the deal and that Iridium would remain subject to existing radio astronomy protections.

Rocket Lab and Iridium argued that bringing manufacturing, launch capabilities, spectrum, and satellite operations under one roof would create what they called a vertically integrated U.S. space leader that increases competition, expands space-based services, and accelerates a next-generation Iridium constellation. Plans include improved positioning, navigation and timing services, expanded direct-to-device connectivity, and the higher-beam-count constellation, with existing Iridium services continuing. The companies cited the FCC's approval last week of Amazon's $11.5 billion Globalstar acquisition as a precedent.

The Iridium deal was announced at $8 billion in enterprise value, with a notional offer of $54 per share comprising $27 in cash plus Rocket Lab stock under an exchange ratio subject to a collar. Iridium shareholders approved the merger in September, with 99.6 percent of votes cast in favor. The companies are targeting a mid-2027 closing, subject to remaining approvals and other conditions.

The next FCC filing deadline is Nov. 9, when replies to responses and oppositions are due. Rocket Lab shares have declined 25 percent year-to-date.