Mynaric is a manufacturer specializing in laser communication technology for aerospace applications. They produce optical communications terminals designed for high-speed, secure, and long-distance wireless data transmission between satellites, aircraft, drones, and other mobile platforms. Mynaric's products are used in various government and commercial space programs, including contracts with the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and DARPA. Rocket Lab announced plans to acquire Mynaric in March 2025, aiming to scale production of these terminals for its own constellations and other customers.
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Mynaric (Nasdaq: MYNA) was selected by the European Space Agency for demonstration activities under Element 3 of the HydRON program on March 4.
The October 2026 QuNET testing campaign will further validate Mynaric’s Quantum Key Distribution capabilities.
Mynaric has shifted from a project-based firm to an industrialized, product-led manufacturer.
Mynaric could supply hardware for future iterations of Europe’s IRIS 2 secure-connectivity architecture.
Mynaric expects QKD technology to be operational in orbit before the end of the decade.
Rocket Lab’s acquisition of optical communications terminal provider Mynaric was announced in March 2025 and is still undergoing regulatory review.
German defense firm Rheinmetall is considering a bid for Mynaric to keep the company under German ownership.
Mynaric has three other QuNET projects in development: a QKD-enabled ground station, demonstrations of optical connections to high-altitude platforms including potential stratospheric aircraft, and compact QKD-related sensor technologies for fixed and mobile connectivity.
Mynaric’s CONDOR Mk3 optical terminal is commercially available and can support QKD communications.
Mynaric is exploring options to fly its hardware as a hosted payload to gain flight heritage.
Mynaric is a German company that builds lasercom systems for satellites.
Rocket Lab US may purchase Mynaric, a German laser communications equipment builder.
Mynaric supplies optical inter-satellite links for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 transport layers.
Rheinmetall’s stated objective in pursuing Mynaric is to keep Mynaric’s intellectual property within a German-owned defense prime and secure a domestic supply chain for laser communication terminals (OCTs).
Rocket Lab signed an acquisition agreement to acquire Mynaric in September 2025.
A decision by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs on Mynaric’s ownership is expected in the coming months and will determine whether Mynaric becomes a European production hub for Rocket Lab or a space-communications asset for Rheinmetall.
Mustafa Veziroglu departed as CEO of Mynaric in late 2024.
Rheinmetall’s interest in Mynaric is driven by concerns about the militarization of Low Earth Orbit and the need for secure, jam-resistant communications for the Bundeswehr and the IRIS² European satellite constellation.
Rheinmetall is preparing a competing bid for Mynaric as of February 22, 2026.
The German Ministry of Economic Affairs has delayed final approval of Rocket Lab’s acquisition of Mynaric while citing the strategic importance of Mynaric’s optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) for European sovereignty.