Peter Beck / Rocket Lab
Author: Miles Jamison || Date Published: August 13, 2025
Launch services and space systems provider Rocket Lab has finalized its acquisition of Geost, an electro-optical and infrared sensor systems developer and ATL Partners’ portfolio company Lightridge Solutions subsidiary.
Integrating Electro-Optical & Infrared Technologies
Rocket Lab said Tuesday the $275 million deal, previously announced in May, included $125 million in cash and over 3 million in common stock shares. The acquisition is intended to expand Rocket Lab’s presence in the national security space technology market, enabling it to carve out a role in major defense programs such as the Golden Dome for America and the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
The Long Beach-based space company is establishing Optical Systems to integrate Geost’s advanced EO/IR payloads for missile warning, tracking, tactical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, space domain awareness and Earth observation. Aside from these advanced capabilities, Rocket Lab will also have access to Geost’s manufacturing and laboratory facilities, intellectual property and inventory assets. Geost will maintain operations in Arizona and Virginia.
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck on the Geost Acquisition
“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,” said Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab.
Geost Sale Paves Way for Trident Solutions
With the Geost acquisition, ATL Partners will now shift its focus from the LightRidge Solutions portfolio to its new defense electronics platform, Trident Solutions. The new platform includes Trident Systems and Ophir.