That's interesting... the market cap is only $200 million so that would involve close to a total buyout that would have them delisted (unless the investor is paying a massive premium over the market - not impossible, but unlikely IMHO).

Surely that would require shareholder approval, but this deal is meant to be done very fast to prevent the company falling apart as all the staff get jobs elsewhere.

I guess we don't yet have enough of the puzzle pieces to figure out what's going on yet - we'll have to wait for a formal announcement.

The valuation for the deal is $200 million - a 'controlling interest' only costs half that at most depending on how you define 'controlling' - do they mean a majority of shares or a majority of board seats.

But your main point stands - unless they find a new market (maybe defense?) it's going to be difficult and may require developing the top launched Launcher Two.

Here's an article with a quote from Jake Thompson, Head of Innovation Products and Services at RR, " We’re working on nuclear thermal propulsion; really efficient, fast transport for space travel."

>The space propulsion side is really nothing to do with RR

RR is currently studying nuclear propulsion for the UK Space Agency: https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2021/12-01-2021-rr-uk-space-agency-launches-first-study-into-nuclear-power.aspx