Rocket Lab x Iridium x $GCTS
I can’t believe nobody in here is discussing this. Please comment let’s have a discussion.
I did not write this post, this was by a Korean investor on X. But im very interested in this company post irridium acquisition.
This was a post on X from a Korean investor… but TLDR…
Rocket Labs is buying Iridium, they plan to expand their existing business. GCTS and iridium worked together.
$GCTS x $IRDN + $RKLB
$GCTS: Assessing the Value of NTN Options Following Rocket Lab's Acquisition of Iridium
- Shifting from a focus on existing 5G FWA chips to diversification into satellite NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) and AI Edge IoT
- Rocket Lab's Acquisition of Iridium
As Iridium's next-generation satellite communications project 'NTN Direct' is elevated to a core space application strategy for Rocket Lab, the strategic call option value of GCTS—which is collaborating with Iridium on chipset co-development—emerges as a major highlight event.
Deal size: Approximately $8 billion
Target closure: Mid-2027
This will give birth to a fully vertically integrated space company spanning satellite manufacturing, launches, frequency (L-band), global satellite networks, and service applications.
* NTN Direct, which was Iridium's own project, along with PNT (Positioning, Navigation, Timing) and IoT businesses, is expected to be aggressively pursued as top-priority initiatives, combined with Rocket Lab's strong capital and launch infrastructure.
- GCTS - Iridium Strategic Partnership Status
GCTS holds a partner position in building the NTN chip ecosystem based on 3GPP Release 19.
MOU signed (June 2025): Review of integrating Iridium NTN Direct service into GCTS's GDM7243SL (4G/5G) chipset
Joint development of 'Iridium Network-enabled NB-IoT' chipset based on 3GPP Release 19 standards
Iridium (providing global LEO satellite network and frequencies) + GCTS (designing communication modem chipsets for terminals)
- Entry into the Fast-Growing Industrial, Military, and Logistics Satellite IoT Market
Potential for performance and valuation re-rating as a 'standards-based NTN modem supplier'
GDM7243SL Iridium OTA testing (O)
↓
Iridium NTN Direct certification
↓
Module reference design
↓
MNO/OEM design wins
↓
PO / mass production
- Conclusion: The satellite NTN chipset market could grow even larger in the future.
$RKLB + $IRDM vs $GSTA+ $AMZN vs $SPCX
Existing
Iridium network
+ GCTS chipset collaboration
+ NTN Direct commercialization
Post-Change
Rocket Lab launch vehicles
+ Rocket Lab satellite manufacturing
+ Iridium L-band spectrum
+ Iridium satellite network
+ Iridium NTN Direct
+ Terminal/chipset ecosystem