Posted: Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 5:05 PM ET (2205 GMT)
Private equity firm AE Industrial Partners is buying a controlling stake in the space power and propulsion business of L3Harris. The companies announced a deal Monday where AE Industrial Partners will take a 60% stake in the business, with a total enterprise value of $845 million. The deal includes the RL10 upper stage engine, in-space propulsion systems and work on nuclear power and propulsion, but does not include the RS-25 engine used on the Space Launch System. AE Industrial Partners plans to rebrand the business as Rocketdyne, reviving that decades-old name after L3Harris acquired Aerojet Rocketdyne in 2023. L3Harris said the deal will allow it to focus on defense priorities, including work on missile defense systems. The deal is expected to close in the second half of the year, pending regulatory approvals.

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