Rocket Lab Partners With KSAT To Streamline Satellite Communications for Customers with Upgraded Ground Station Service

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has partnered with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) to develop a new global ground station service for its operations and customers. This service aims to streamline satellite communications for various missions, including Neutron launches, Electron launches, and on-orbit operations. The upgraded service offers:

- Unique antenna tracking features
- Real-time telemetry, tracking, and control
- Extended monitoring capabilities in S-band, X-band, and Ka-band
- Automated ground station scheduling

This partnership enhances Rocket Lab's end-to-end mission solutions, allowing customers to focus on their core missions while benefiting from reliable and scalable communication services.

Positive

• Partnership with KSAT to develop a new global ground station service
• Streamlined satellite communications for various mission types
• Access to KSAT's network of more than 200 antennas globally
• Enhanced capabilities in telemetry, tracking, and control
• Offering end-to-end mission solutions for customers

Negative

• None.

Insights

Space Industry Analyst

Rocket Lab's partnership with KSAT to develop an enhanced global ground station service is a strategic move that could significantly boost the company's competitive edge. This collaboration addresses a critical need in the rapidly growing satellite market, potentially increasing Rocket Lab's revenue streams beyond launch services.

The upgraded service offers streamlined operations for customers across various mission types, from satellite deorbit to interplanetary missions. This end-to-end solution could attract more customers by simplifying their access to space and reducing their operational overhead. The expanded capabilities, including unique antenna tracking features and real-time telemetry, position Rocket Lab as a one-stop-shop for satellite operators.

While this news is positive for Rocket Lab's long-term prospects, investors should note that the financial impact may take time to materialize, as the service's success will depend on customer adoption and the company's ability to execute on its ambitious plans, including the development of the Neutron rocket.

Satellite Communications Expert

The partnership between Rocket Lab and KSAT represents a significant advancement in satellite communications infrastructure. The upgraded ground station service addresses several key technical challenges in the industry, particularly for complex mission designs and high-frequency communications.

The inclusion of S-band, X-band and Ka-band support with IRIG-106 modulation codes is particularly noteworthy, as it enables higher data rates and more efficient spectrum utilization. This capability is important for the increasing data demands of modern satellite missions, especially in Earth observation and communications constellations.

The automated ground station scheduling feature is a game-changer, potentially reducing operational costs and human error. However, the true test will be in the service's reliability and scalability as Rocket Lab expands its operations and customer base.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, this partnership could significantly enhance Rocket Lab's revenue diversification strategy. By offering comprehensive ground station services, the company is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the space value chain, potentially improving its profit margins.

The backlog of over 40 satellites mentioned in the article suggests strong demand for Rocket Lab's services. This new offering could help convert more of this backlog into realized revenue by providing an integrated solution that simplifies customer operations.

However, investors should be cautious about near-term financial impacts. The development and scaling of this service will likely require significant investment and returns may take time to materialize. The success of this venture will be closely tied to the company's ability to execute on its Neutron rocket development and expand its customer base in a competitive market.

The new ground station service streamlines operations for Rocket Lab customers’ across a wide variety of missions – from satellite deorbit and re-entry missions to launches on Neutron for interplanetary missions.

LOGAN, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Small Sat Conference – Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, has partnered with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a world leading provider of communication services for spacecraft and launch vehicles, to develop a new global ground station service for its operations and customers that enables efficient and reliable communications for future Neutron launches, increasingly ambitious Electron launches, and on-orbit operations, spacecraft deorbit, and return-to-Earth missions with Rocket Lab spacecraft.

Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle is one of the world’s most frequently launched rockets, having successfully delivered 191 satellites to space for government and commercial customers across science and exploration missions, Earth observation, weather monitoring, and national security. Further expanding its launch capabilities, Rocket Lab is developing its new medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron to launch constellations of satellites, national security and defense missions, and interplanetary missions from mid-2025. Rocket Lab also designs, builds, launches, and operates spacecraft for a variety of government and commercial satellite operators, enabling missions to the Moon for NASA, and providing in-space operations, deorbit, and return-to-Earth spacecraft re-entry operations for commercial customers like Varda Space Industries.

With preparations for Neutron’s first launch, additional return-to-Earth spacecraft missions scheduled for Varda, and more than 40 satellites in the Company’s backlog, Rocket Lab has worked closely with KSAT to co-engineer a new satellite communications service that meets the critical requirements of these future missions. As the sole provider of ground station services to Rocket Lab, KSAT’s network has been scaled to meet both Rocket Lab’s launch and spacecraft operations and the demands of the space industry to ensure optimal performance, minimal latency, and robust support throughout the mission lifecycle.

The expanded satellite communications service now available to KSAT’s and Rocket Lab’s customers includes unique antenna tracking features for complex mission designs across a global ground station network of more than 200 antennas; real-time telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C); extended monitoring, control, and data acquisition capabilities in S-band, X-band, and Ka-band supporting key IRIG-106 modulation codes; automated ground station scheduling for satellite passes; and other upgraded features and benefits.

Rocket Lab’s Vice President, Business Development & Strategy, Space Systems, Richard French, says: “This upgraded satellite communications service for Electron and Neutron launches and across our various spacecraft streamlines our customers’ missions and simplifies their access to space/ Satellite operators can outsource their satellite operations and communications to us, allowing them to focus on their mission at hand rather than having to build and operate their own ground station infrastructure. We’re delighted to be able to ensure our customers benefit from a reliable, scalable service through our ongoing partnership with KSAT."

KSAT’s Director of Ground Network Products, Arthur Merlin, says: “Partnering with Rocket Lab exemplifies our commitment to advancing ground network technology through strategic collaborations. This partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations, ensuring seamless and reliable communications for our customers worldwide. We are excited to work closely with Rocket Lab, a leader in innovative launch solutions, to enhance our service offerings and drive forward the development of space communication.”

Additionally, Rocket Lab offers technical and regulatory services as part of its streamlined end-to-end mission solution for customers, including support with radio licensing, frequency coordination to manage unwanted interference, and process navigation through the most complex regulatory environments, as well as a range of technical support services.

+ 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 Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, a family of flight-proven spacecraft, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 191 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

+ Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240806167742/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Murielle Baker

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Rocket Lab's partnership with KSAT?

Rocket Lab partnered with KSAT to develop a new global ground station service that streamlines satellite communications for various missions, including Neutron launches, Electron launches, and on-orbit operations.

What features does the new ground station service offer for RKLB customers?

The new service offers unique antenna tracking features, real-time telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C), extended monitoring capabilities in S-band, X-band, and Ka-band, and automated ground station scheduling for satellite passes.

How many satellites has Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle delivered to orbit?

Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has successfully delivered 191 satellites to orbit for government and commercial customers across various mission types.

When is Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket expected to launch?

Rocket Lab is developing its medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron with plans to launch constellations of satellites, national security missions, and interplanetary missions from mid-2025.