Rocket Lab Acquires Optical Support, Inc., Strengthening National Security Payload Capability
Rhea-AI Summary
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) completed the acquisition of Optical Support, Inc. on February 26, 2026, adding precision optics capabilities to Rocket Lab Optical Systems.
The deal brings 20 team members and 22,000 sq/ft of machining, testing and integration facilities, aiming to secure supply chains for national security and commercial spacecraft programs.
Positive
- Acquisition completed Feb 26, 2026 expanding Rocket Lab Optical Systems
- 20 experienced team members added to in-house optics capabilities
- 22,000 sq/ft of advanced machining, testing and integration facilities acquired
- Strengthened supply chain certainty for Rocket Lab spacecraft programs
- Better positioning to support Space Development Agency PWSA and next-gen initiatives
Negative
- None.
Market Reaction – RKLB
Following this news, RKLB has declined 4.25%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 15 alerts so far, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $69.56. This price movement has removed approximately $1.72B from the company's valuation.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Silver for real-time data.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
RKLB was up 0.33% while key Aerospace & Defense peers were mixed to down (e.g., CW -2.66%, TXT -2.87%, ESLT -1.24%, WWD -1.38%, BWXT +0.67%), indicating the move appeared stock-specific rather than sector-driven.
Previous Acquisition Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12 | Geost acquisition close | Positive | -3.5% | Closed Geost deal for $275M plus earnout, enhancing national security payloads. |
| May 27 | Geost acquisition deal | Positive | +0.6% | Announced agreement to acquire Geost, entering satellite payload and EO/IR segment. |
| Mar 11 | Mynaric stake plan | Positive | +3.4% | Planned controlling stake in Mynaric to add laser communications and EU presence. |
Acquisition headlines have drawn modest average moves (~0.14%) with mostly positive but sometimes divergent price reactions.
Over the past year, Rocket Lab has used acquisitions to deepen its role as an end-to-end space and defense contractor. Deals for Geost and the planned Mynaric stake expanded electro‑optical sensing and laser communications, supporting national security contracts like the Space Development Agency’s programs. Market reactions to these acquisition announcements ranged from about -3.53% to +3.37%, suggesting generally constructive but not uniformly positive responses. The OSI acquisition continues this strategy in high‑precision optical payloads.
Historical Comparison
In the last three acquisition-related headlines, RKLB’s average move was about 0.14%, with mixed but generally constructive reactions to strategic expansion.
Acquisition activity has steadily broadened Rocket Lab’s payload capabilities, from Geost’s EO/IR sensors to Mynaric’s laser links and now OSI’s precision optical systems.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Rocket Lab’s continued push into vertically integrated payloads by acquiring OSI, a specialist in high-precision optical and optomechanical systems. The deal adds 20 staff and 22,000 sq/ft of facilities, reinforcing Rocket Lab Optical Systems alongside prior Geost and planned Mynaric transactions. Investors may track how OSI contributes to national security contracts, supply-chain reliability, and execution on complex optical missions across defense and science markets.
Key Terms
optomechanical instruments technical
optomechanical systems technical
space domain awareness technical
cleanroom assembly technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or the “Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Optical Support, Inc. (OSI), a leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of custom, high-precision optical and optomechanical instruments. OSI’s advanced lenses and optomechanical systems are critical enablers for national security and commercial satellites, and are key subsystems used in Rocket Lab Optical Systems’ high-performance payloads for space protection, space domain awareness, missile warning, tracking and defense. OSI delivers end-to-end solutions from concept design and prototyping to full-scale production including CNC machining, optical alignment, cleanroom assembly, and testing.
As a key supplier to Geost, which was acquired by Rocket Lab in August 2025 and now forms part of Rocket Lab Optical Systems, Rocket Lab has extensive experience working with the OSI team, providing a high degree of trust and familiarity with their technology and capabilities.
The transaction further cements Rocket Lab’s position as a disruptive vertically integrated prime contractor enabling critical defense programs including the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), while ideally positioning the Company to deliver capability for next-generation initiatives like Golden Dome and space science missions, including Mars exploration. OSI’s extensive capabilities in optics and optomechanical systems span a variety of industries and have enabled groundbreaking programs including NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, Sphere Las Vegas, and US Government Defense and Intelligence missions.
As a vertically integrated spacecraft manufacturer that produces key components, subsystems and software in-house, Rocket Lab maintains unparalleled control over cost, quality, and schedule for programs of all scales, from large constellations to complex, high performance single spacecraft. The strategic acquisition of OSI strengthens this capability further by ensuring supply chain certainty for Rocket Lab’s current and future spacecraft programs. In combining with Rocket Lab, OSI is also able to tap into Rocket Lab’s resources and scale to increase production, making optomechanical systems technologies available in higher volumes to a broad range of customers and industries.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says “Optical systems play a large and vital role in gathering critical data for the most impactful space missions of today and the future, from deep space exploration and Earth observation to national security. The high performing technology behind many of those missions comes from the team at Optical Support, Inc. Welcoming them to Rocket Lab’s portfolio of advanced space systems is a strategic commitment to further strengthening our vertical integration for programs like the PWSA, while ensuring we can serve the expanding needs of the commercial and wider government constellation market.”
Michael Savard, President of OSI, adds: “Optical Support, Inc. has been enabling some of the nation’s most critical missions for more than 20 years, and now as part of Rocket Lab we are excited to take our technologies further. Rocket Lab’s track record of acquiring best-in-class space systems technologies and successfully scaling them to meet the growing needs of commercial and national security markets has been proven multiple times over. We look forward to teaming up to do the same for advanced lenses and optomechanical systems.”
Based in Tucson, Arizona, OSI will be integrated into Rocket Lab Optical Systems, the Company’s payload arm which is also based in Arizona and was established in August 2025 when Rocket Lab acquired Geost, a leading developer of electro-optical and infrared sensor systems for national security space missions. The acquisition will add 20 experienced team members and 22,000 sq/ft of advanced component machining, testing and integration facilities to Rocket Lab’s growing space systems footprint.
Rocket Lab Media Contact
media@rocketlabusa.com
+ About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components serving commercial, government, and national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides hypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations; and its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for constellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700 missions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. Rocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange (RKLB). Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.
+ Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the financial and business impact of the transaction and the anticipated benefits of the transaction, our ability to integrate the acquired business with our product and service offerings, our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to risks related to the integration of proposed acquisitions, including our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction and successfully integrate Geost’s technologies, product offerings and operations, as well as the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
FAQ
What did Rocket Lab (RKLB) acquire on February 26, 2026?
How many employees and facilities did OSI add to Rocket Lab (RKLB)?
How does the OSI acquisition affect Rocket Lab's (RKLB) national security capabilities?
Will the OSI acquisition improve Rocket Lab's (RKLB) supply chain and production scale?
How does OSI fit into Rocket Lab Optical Systems after the acquisition of Geost?
What missions and customers could benefit from Rocket Lab's (RKLB) acquisition of OSI?
