Rocket Lab Selects Subcontractors to Support SDA Satellite Constellation Development

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab, a global leader in launch services and space systems, completed the selection of subcontractors for 18 satellites being developed for the Space Development Agency. The company, under a $515 million contract, will lead the design, development, and operations of the satellite constellation to provide secure communications and missile tracking for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Positive

• Rocket Lab showcasing strong capabilities in developing space infrastructure

• Selected subcontractors bring proven experience and performance to the program

• Prime contractor role in a significant project for national defense

• Development of state-of-the-art satellite technology for secure communication and tracking

Negative

• Dependency on subcontractors for critical satellite components

• Complexity and coordination challenges in integrating various subsystems from different suppliers

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has completed the selection of subcontractors to provide payloads and ground systems for the 18 satellites the Company is developing for SDA (Space Development Agency).

Rocket Lab is the prime contractor for a $515 million USD firm-fixed price agreement to lead the design, development, production, test, and operations of 18 satellites for SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta (T2TL - Beta) as part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The PWSA is a layered low-Earth orbit satellite constellation designed to deliver secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

The 18 satellites being developed by Rocket Lab will integrate subsystems and components built in-house by the Company, including solar panels, structures, star trackers, reaction wheels, radio, flight software, avionics, and launch dispensers. As prime contractor, Rocket Lab also leads the procurement and integration of the payloads and other subsystems and has selected the following companies as subcontractors to support the program.

CesiumAstro: An industry leader in active phased array communications technology for space and airborne systems, CesiumAstro will provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array (AESA) radio frequency (RF) communications payload. The payload will be the first multi-beam-capable Ka-band communications system operating in SDA’s PWSA.

Mynaric: A leading provider of free space optical communications terminals for air, space and mobile applications, Mynaric has been selected to provide CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals.

SEAKR Engineering: SEAKR, a leading supplier of advanced payload and mission solutions, has been selected to provide the Tactical Satellite Communications (TACSATCOM) Software Defined Radio (SDR) and Network Encryption System (NES).

Collins Aerospace: Collins Aerospace will be providing the waveform for the SDR, which is the software and firmware required to transmit and receive TACSATCOM.

Redwire Space: Redwire Space, a global leader in space infrastructure, has been selected to provide antennas and RF hardware.

Parsons Corporation: Parsons will be supplying the NEBULA Operations – Vendor Architecture (NOVA) which will be Rocket Lab’s ground system for managing operations for its 18 satellites.

“Rocket Lab has a strong history of developing highly capable, resilient, and affordable space infrastructure. We’re excited to continue this heritage by delivering a reliable satellite constellation to SDA in support of PWSA,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “Rocket Lab technology has been delivering mission success in orbit for more than 20 years, so when we look for subcontractors to support our programs we select for performance and proven experience – something this hand-picked team has in abundance.”

+ 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, our family of spacecraft platforms, 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 180+ 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 spacecraft have 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/20240506288620/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Morgan Bailey

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

What is Rocket Lab developing for the Space Development Agency?

Rocket Lab is developing 18 satellites for the Space Development Agency to provide secure communications and missile tracking capabilities.

Who are some of the subcontractors selected by Rocket Lab?

Selected subcontractors include CesiumAstro, Mynaric, SEAKR Engineering, Collins Aerospace, Redwire Space, and Parsons

What is Rocket Lab's role in the project for SDA?

Rocket Lab is the prime contractor leading the design, development, production, test, and operations of the 18 satellites for SDA's Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta.

What is the purpose of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA)?

The PWSA is designed to deliver secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Where is Rocket Lab headquartered?

Rocket Lab is headquartered in Long Beach, California.