A New Frontier in Radios: Rocket Lab Announces Expanded Radio Products for Reliable Command and Control
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has unveiled its expanded suite of space-grade radio frequency (RF) communications systems, called Frontier radios. These flight-proven, software-defined radios are designed for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C), featuring over 13 years of flight heritage and available in L-, S-, C-, X-, and Ka-band models.
The Frontier radios, adapted from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's Frontier Lite radio, are compact, lightweight, and compatible with major ground stations including the Deep Space Network. They have been successfully deployed in various missions including NASA's CAPSTONE, Europa Clipper, and Rocket Lab's Photon Pathstone.
The radio system was selected as a 2024 R&D 100 Award recipient and will be utilized in upcoming projects, including Viasat's hybrid space communications network demonstrations for NASA's Communications Services Project.
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) ha svelato la sua suite ampliata di sistemi di comunicazione radio a radiofrequenza (RF) di grado spaziale, chiamata radio Frontier. Queste radio, già collaudate in volo e definite da software, sono progettate per telemetria, tracciamento e comando (TT&C), con oltre 13 anni di esperienza di volo e disponibili in modelli L-, S-, C-, X- e Ka-band.
Le radio Frontier, adattate dalla radio Frontier Lite del Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, sono compatte, leggere e compatibili con le principali stazioni terrestri, inclusa la Deep Space Network. Sono state utilizzate con successo in varie missioni tra cui CAPSTONE della NASA, Europa Clipper e Photon Pathstone di Rocket Lab.
Il sistema radio è stato selezionato come vincitore del premio R&D 100 del 2024 e sarà utilizzato in progetti futuri, comprese le dimostrazioni della rete di comunicazione spaziale ibrida di Viasat per il progetto di servizi di comunicazione della NASA.
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) ha presentado su suite ampliada de sistemas de comunicación de radiofrecuencia (RF) de grado espacial, llamada radios Frontier. Estas radios, probadas en vuelo y definidas por software, están diseñadas para telemetría, seguimiento y comando (TT&C), con más de 13 años de experiencia en vuelo y disponibles en modelos de bandas L-, S-, C-, X- y Ka.
Las radios Frontier, adaptadas de la radio Frontier Lite del Laboratorio de Física Aplicada de la Universidad Johns Hopkins, son compactas, ligeras y compatibles con las principales estaciones terrestres, incluida la Red de Espacio Profundo. Se han desplegado con éxito en varias misiones, incluidas CAPSTONE de la NASA, Europa Clipper y Photon Pathstone de Rocket Lab.
El sistema de radio fue seleccionado como ganador del premio R&D 100 de 2024 y se utilizará en proyectos futuros, incluidas las demostraciones de la red de comunicaciones espaciales híbridas de Viasat para el Proyecto de Servicios de Comunicación de la NASA.
로켓랩 (NASDAQ: RKLB)은 프론티어 라디오라는 이름의 우주급 무선 주파수(RF) 통신 시스템의 확장된 제품군을 공개했습니다. 이 비행 검증된 소프트웨어 정의 라디오는 원거리 통신, 추적 및 명령(TT&C)을 위해 설계되었으며, 13년 이상의 비행 유산을 가지고 있으며 L-, S-, C-, X- 및 Ka 대역 모델로 제공됩니다.
프론티어 라디오는 존스 홉킨스 대학교 응용 물리학 연구소의 프론티어 라이트 라디오에서 적응된 것으로, 소형이며 경량이며, 깊은 우주 네트워크를 포함한 주요 지상국과 호환됩니다. NASA의 CAPSTONE, 유로파 클리퍼 및 로켓랩의 포톤 패스톤을 포함한 다양한 임무에서 성공적으로 배치되었습니다.
이 라디오 시스템은 2024 R&D 100 상 수상자로 선정되었으며, NASA의 통신 서비스 프로젝트를 위한 Viasat의 하이브리드 우주 통신 네트워크 시연을 포함한 향후 프로젝트에 사용될 것입니다.
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) a dévoilé sa gamme élargie de systèmes de communication radio à fréquence radio (RF) de qualité spatiale, appelés radios Frontier. Ces radios, éprouvées en vol et définies par logiciel, sont conçues pour la télémétrie, le suivi et le commandement (TT&C), avec plus de 13 ans d'héritage en vol et disponibles en modèles de bandes L-, S-, C-, X- et Ka.
Les radios Frontier, adaptées de la radio Frontier Lite du Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, sont compactes, légères et compatibles avec les principales stations au sol, y compris le Deep Space Network. Elles ont été déployées avec succès dans diverses missions, y compris CAPSTONE de la NASA, Europa Clipper et Photon Pathstone de Rocket Lab.
Le système radio a été sélectionné comme lauréat du prix R&D 100 de 2024 et sera utilisé dans des projets à venir, y compris les démonstrations du réseau de communications spatiales hybrides de Viasat pour le projet de services de communication de la NASA.
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) hat sein erweitertes Sortiment an weltraumtauglichen Funkfrequenz-(RF)-Kommunikationssystemen vorgestellt, das als Frontier-Radios bezeichnet wird. Diese flugbewährten, softwaredefinierten Radios sind für Telemetrie, Tracking und Kommando (TT&C) konzipiert, verfügen über mehr als 13 Jahre Flugerfahrung und sind in L-, S-, C-, X- und Ka-Band-Modellen erhältlich.
Die Frontier-Radios, die vom Frontier Lite-Radio des Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory abgeleitet sind, sind kompakt, leicht und mit den wichtigsten Bodenstationen, einschließlich des Deep Space Network, kompatibel. Sie wurden erfolgreich in verschiedenen Missionen eingesetzt, darunter die CAPSTONE-Mission der NASA, Europa Clipper und Rocket Labs Photon Pathstone.
Das Radiosystem wurde als Empfänger des R&D 100 Awards 2024 ausgewählt und wird in zukünftigen Projekten, einschließlich der hybriden Weltraumkommunikationsnetzwerk-Demonstrationen von Viasat für das Kommunikationsdienste-Projekt der NASA, eingesetzt.
- Expansion of product portfolio with flight-proven radio technology
- 13+ years of successful flight heritage demonstrating reliability
- Secured high-profile mission deployments including NASA projects
- Recognition with 2024 R&D 100 Award
- Capability to deliver components at constellation scale despite industry supply chain challenges
- None.
Insights
Rocket Lab's expansion into space-grade radio frequency systems represents a strategic enhancement of their vertical integration strategy. The Frontier radio products leverage 13 years of flight heritage from proven Johns Hopkins APL technology, positioning RKLB as a one-stop shop for satellite components beyond their launch services.
What stands out is the breadth of frequency bands offered (L-, S-, C-, X-, and Ka-band), creating versatility across mission profiles. These radios' compatibility with major ground networks including Deep Space Network and commercial providers creates a compelling value proposition for satellite operators seeking simplified integration.
The company's emphasis on supply chain resilience is particularly noteworthy in the current space industry landscape, where component shortages have delayed numerous programs. By controlling critical communication subsystems in-house, Rocket Lab strengthens both their own satellite manufacturing capabilities and their merchant component business.
The impressive flight heritage on high-profile missions including NASA's CAPSTONE, Europa Clipper, and international programs like Emirates Mars demonstrates the technology's reliability. The 2024 R&D 100 Award provides additional technical validation.
This product line expansion reinforces Rocket Lab's evolution from purely a launch provider to a comprehensive space systems company, diversifying revenue streams and creating potential for improved margins through vertical integration.
Adapted from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s Frontier Lite radio, Rocket Lab’s high-performance Frontier radios have over 13 years of flight heritage and are now available in L-, S-, C-, X-, and Ka-band models. The radio is designed from the ground up for reliable and secure communications to support any orbit or space environment and have advanced capabilities like ranging waveforms for radiometric navigation. Frontier radios are compact and lightweight for easy integration onto any satellite.
As part of Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated subsystems and components, Frontier radios are compatible with the Deep Space Network and other global ground stations, including the Near Earth Network, Air Force Satellite Control Network, KSAT, SSC, Viasat, and other commercial networks.
“We are excited to add this suite of software-defined radios to our expanding portfolio of products,” said Brad Clevenger, Vice President of Rocket Lab Space Systems. “We continue to demonstrate our ability to deliver high reliability, high performance products at constellation scale. While much of the industry struggles with supply chain challenges, Rocket Lab continues to demonstrate that it is the right partner for merchant component supply to the most demanding missions.”
This RF product suite is a further expansion of Rocket Lab’s component products, joining a portfolio that includes reaction wheels, star trackers, solar power systems, flight software, ground software, separation systems, and more.
Frontier radios are flight-proven across a range of missions including Rocket Lab’s Photon Pathstone, three Rocket Lab Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries, NASA’s CAPSTONE, NASA’s Europa Clipper, NASA’s Solar Probe Plus, Emirates Mars, and Van Allen Probes. Upcoming, Rocket Lab’s Frontier L-band radio will be used for Viasat to support their hybrid space communications network demonstrations for NASA's Communications Services Project.
The Frontier Radio was also selected as a 2024 R&D 100 Award for innovations pushing the boundaries of research and development.
+ About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in
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+ Rocket Lab Media Contact
Lindsay McLaurin
media@rocketlabusa.com
Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
FAQ
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