Globalstar has raised concerns with the Federal Communications Commission about its supplier relationship with Rocket Lab following Rocket Lab’s proposed acquisition of Iridium. Via Satellite reported the November 2 filings on November 3, 2026.
Globalstar’s position concerns Rocket Lab’s role in its spacecraft program. Rocket Lab supplied satellite buses as a subcontractor to MDA Space and also provides flight and ground software. Its work includes Globalstar’s satellite operations control center.
Globalstar argued that these relationships give Rocket Lab access to technical and operational information and influence over spacecraft delivery and performance. Acquisition of Iridium, a competing satellite-service operator, would change the commercial relationship between supplier and customer. Globalstar did not oppose the transaction outright.
Rocket Lab separately argued that it does not currently hold mobile-satellite-service spectrum or have a near-term plan to enter that market independently. Its response maintained that the acquisition would not increase concentration by combining two existing competitors in those services.
Combining Manufacturing With Satellite Services
Rocket Lab and Iridium announced their definitive agreement on June 29. The proposed cash-and-stock transaction assigns Iridium an enterprise value of approximately $8 billion and a notional consideration of $54 per share.
The companies describe a combination of Rocket Lab’s launch and spacecraft-manufacturing operations with Iridium’s communications network. Iridium supplies voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing services through satellites in low Earth orbit and associated spectrum rights.
That combination brings activities at different stages of satellite service delivery under common ownership. Manufacturing produces the spacecraft, launch places it in orbit, and the network operator supplies services to users through the deployed system.
The proposed transaction also includes plans to support development of Iridium’s next-generation constellation and direct-to-device services. Those are announced objectives of the combination.
The companies’ agreement targets completion in mid-2027, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. Globalstar’s filing addresses the supplier relationship within that review, placing spacecraft manufacturing, operational software, and access to customer information before the FCC.
