mergers and acquisitions
AEI claims majority stake in York Space Systems
AE Industrial Partners announced plans Oct. 4 to acquire a majority stake in York Space Systems, a small satellite manufacturer and turnkey mission operator based in Denver.
Surging demand for satellite data services, Euroconsult forecast
At a time of dramatic change in the satellite communications market, Euroconsult expects companies to expand revenues by introducing new services, attracting additional customers for existing services and cutting costs.
Slingshot acquires Numerica’s space-tracking business and UK space data firm Seradata
Slingshot Aerospace announced Aug. 3 it has acquired Numerica’s space-tracking business and UK space data firm Seradata
Northrop Grumman dismisses speculation that its 2018 acquisition of Orbital ATK could be challenged
Northrop Grumman does not expect an ongoing antitrust review of its acquisition of Orbital ATK to have any “adverse impact” on the company, said CEO Kathy Warden.
Xplore acquires Kubos and Major Tom software
Xplore Inc. announced the acquisition April 4 of spacecraft software developer Kubos Corp. including Major Tom, Kubos’ flight control software platform.
Pentagon to rein in defense and aerospace industry mergers
The Defense Department in a report released Feb. 15 says it will “strengthen oversight” of industry mergers amid concerns that corporate consolidation is undermining U.S. competitiveness.
Voyager Space acquires majority stake in Space Micro
Voyager Space Inc. is acquiring a majority stake in Space Micro Inc. as part of an agreement designed to help the San Diego-based supplier of space electronics and satellite components expand operations to meet demand.
Planet to acquire VanderSat in $28 million deal
Planet announced an agreement to acquire VanderSat, a Dutch company that provides data on Earth surface conditions, like soil moisture and land surface temperature for about $28 million.
Rocket Lab acquires software company as it plans additional deals
Rocket Lab’s acquisition of an aerospace software company is one of a series of deals it is considering, enabled in part by going public.
Rate of space industry deals may slow down in the next year
The torrid pace of investment and acquisitions involving space companies this year is unlikely to continue next year, but investors and bankers are still optimistic about the long-term growth prospects for the industry.
Raytheon to acquire space electronics supplier SEAKR Engineering
Raytheon Technologies announced Sept. 14 it intends to acquire SEAKR Engineering, a privately owned supplier of space electronics based in Centennial, Colorado.
Satellite operators see acquisition opportunities
Companies that operate both geostationary satellites and low Earth orbit constellations say they see opportunities to acquire complementary firms but cautioned that a long-projected consolidation of the industry isn’t likely in the near future.
Bipartisan group of lawmakers presses DoD to back Lockheed-Aerojet merger
A group of 13 members of Congress in a letter argue that DoD should support Lockheed Martin’s proposed $4.4 billion acquisition of rocket engine manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne.
Space surveillance sensor supplier Geost acquired by private equity firm
Geost, a company that supplies space surveillance sensors to the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, has been acquired by ATL Partners, a private equity firm.
Federal Trade Commission chair appears skeptical of proposed Lockheed-Aerojet merger
Lockheed Martin’s proposed $4.4 billion acquisition of rocket engine manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne is under a cloud of uncertainty after Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan expressed concerns about vertical mergers.
AE Industrial Partners’ American Pacific Corp. invests in Frontier Aerospace
AE Industrial Partners subsidiary American Pacific Corp. announced a multimillion-dollar investment in Frontier Aerospace, a space propulsion startup based in Simi Valley, California. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Satellite imagery and data firm BlackSky to go public in latest SPAC deal
BlackSky announced Feb. 18 it has signed a deal to go public through a merger with Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp.
Investors see multiple avenues for space sector exits
Money will continue flowing into the space industry from government agencies, private equity firms and public markets, according to panelists at the 2021 SmallSat Symposium.
General Atomics acquires Tiger Innovations
General Atomics announced the acquisition Feb. 1 of Tiger Innovations, a Herndon, Virginia small business focused primarily on satellite systems and related hardware and software.
Speedcast to reorganize under Centerbridge Partners
Satellite communications provider Speedcast is scheduled to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by March 31 after winning approval to reorganize under a new owner, private Equity firm Centerbridge Partners.
