Rocket Lab is acquiring satellite telecommunications company Iridium for $8 billion as part of its effort to become an end-to-end space company.

Iridium deal positions it against Starlink are the “wrong take.” ・Iridium’s L-band spectrum is designed for low-bandwidth, high-reliability use cases like tactical communications and IoT, not broadband internet.

Space stocks are catching a bid Monday morning after Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB | RKLB Price Prediction) unveiled a definitive agreement to acquire Iridium Communications (NASDAQ:IRDM) in a cash-and-stock deal carrying an enterprise value of approximately $8 billion.

SpaceX plans to launch its Falcon 9 rocket one time in the week ahead from the Vandenberg Space Force Base. See the schedule for California.

Rocket Lab (RKLB +13.91%) is the most direct SpaceX analog available to public investors, and the gap between what the two companies are doing today is much narrower than the market has historically priced.

A Chinese Long March 2B rocket's booster was outfitted with a parachute for a launch. The system provides controlled landing capabilities for the rocket. Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)

Here's Florida's rocket launch schedule for the week of June 29, where rocket launches are visible and how to watch NASA content with Amazon Prime.

Experience the future of space travel with the Eco Rocket, a groundbreaking environmentally friendly rocket system powered by innovative steam propulsion. Watch as this multi-stage rocket, adorned with AETHER,