Rocket Lab Nears Deal to Merge With Vector SPAC

Vector Acquisition, backed by technology-focused private-equity firm Vector Capital, raised $300 million in a September initial public offering. It is one of hundreds of SPACs, which go public without a business and then look for one or more to combine with, to raise money in recent months, as a blank-check wave took hold on Wall Street and Silicon Valley alike.

Rocket Lab, whose backers have included defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp., is seen as a frontrunner among a new breed of so-called small-launch providers. The startup has already launched 97 satellites for the government and for private companies for applications including research and communications. While a handful of established companies including Elon Musk’s SpaceX focus on sending huge satellites into higher orbits, there are more than 100 new small-rocket ventures around the world that aim to serve lighter satellites. In addition to Rocket Lab, British entrepreneur Richard Branson ‘s Virgin Orbit LLC is an increasingly large player in the field.

Another one of Mr. Branson’s entities, space-tourism company Virgin Galactic, went public through a SPAC merger in 2019—putting it at the forefront of the blank-check deal frenzy.

Rocket Lab’s deal with Vector is expected to include additional funds of about $470 million in the form of a so-called private investment in public equity from investors including BlackRock Inc. and Neuberger Berman Group LLC, the people familiar with the matter said. Such investments often accompany SPAC deals.

Rocket Lab is expected to use proceeds from the deal to fund development of a medium-lift “Neutron” launch vehicle tailored for use in satellite mega-constellations, space missions and commercial spaceflight, the people said. The Neutron rocket is expected to be able to lift most satellites forecast to launch in the coming years and be positioned as a lower-cost alternative to larger vehicles, they said.

Rocket Lab also has dealmaking ambitions. Indeed, industry officials anticipate that a shakeout eventually may leave just a handful of survivors among small-launch providers.

Write to Cara Lombardo at [email protected]