Rocket Lab sees the acquisition of Geost as boosting its Golden Dome contractor status

Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) announced on Tuesday that it had completed the acquisition of the parent holding company of Geost.

Geost, which was founded in 2004 by Anthony Gleckler in Tucson, Arizona, specializes in developing advanced electro-optical and infrared sensor systems for space and defense applications. The company quickly established a reputation for delivering resilient sensor payloads crucial for national security missions, such as missile warning, tracking, and space domain awareness. Over two decades, Geost grew from a nimble startup into a leader in affordable, high-performance optical solutions.

The acquisition was completed for $275 million before closing adjustments, comprising approximately $125 million in cash and 3,057,588 shares of Rocket Lab common stock, with an additional potential earnout of up to $50 million tied to future revenue targets of Geost’s business.

With the closing of the transaction, Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) said it secures its status as a disruptive prime contractor for next-generation defense initiatives like the Golden Dome for America concept, and the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, adding Optical Systems to its portfolio of capabilities as a provider of complete, mission-ready spacecraft for U.S. national security programs.

Notably, Geost’s EO/IR technologies support missile warning and tracking, tactical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, Earth observation, and space domain awareness, core capabilities critical to U.S. space assets operating in increasingly contested environments.

“Being able to quickly build and deploy entire satellite systems is the cornerstone of future U.S. defense strategy, and with this acquisition, we’re accelerating the delivery of mission critical payloads that support U.S. national security projects,” highlighted Rocket Lab (RKLB) CEO Sir Peter Beck. “This acquisition strengthens our role in building the resilient, responsive space architecture envisioned under Golden Dome, combining Geost’s proven sensing technologies with Rocket Lab’s ability to scale fast, secure, and integrated space solutions,” he added.