Rocket Lab plans to acquire Iridium for $8B and combine Rocket Lab's launch services with Iridium's satellite-based communications network to rival SpaceX
THE SO WHAT
A launch provider buying a 66-satellite comms network is vertical integration in space—distribution plus service in one balance sheet. If your product depends on orbital bandwidth or timing, assume fewer, more integrated constellations and negotiate long-term capacity, not one-off rides.
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