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Rocket Lab Jumps 6% on FCC Clearance for Iridium Deal

September 17, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

Rocket Lab shares rose 6% after FCC cleared first hurdle on Iridium deal.
Iridium Communications stock barely moved, up 0.2%.
FCC acceptance starts public-comment period on license transfer.
SpaceX filed concerns with FCC regarding Iridium's conduct.

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Strategic Implications

The FCC's procedural clearance may indicate a positive step for Rocket Lab's acquisition of Iridium Communications, but the presence of a rival in the docket suggests that Rocket Lab could face further regulatory challenges, which may impact the deal's timeline and outcome.

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What Happened

Regulatory Hurdle Cleared for Proposed Acquisition

Rocket Lab’s shares surged 6% after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cleared the first hurdle for its proposed acquisition of Iridium Communications, while Iridium’s stock remained relatively unchanged. The FCC’s acceptance of the license-transfer applications starts a public-comment period, which may pose challenges for Rocket Lab as rival SpaceX has already filed concerns regarding Iridium’s conduct. This development was reported by 24/7 Wall St.

Source | Originally Published: September 17, 2026

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