Rocket Lab to Supply Solar Power for United States Space Force’s New Missile Warning Satellites

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB) has announced its solar cell assemblies will power three Lockheed Martin satellites under the U.S. Space Force's Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next Gen OPIR) program. This initiative is aimed at enhancing global missile warning capabilities against emerging threats. The satellites recently completed a critical design review, with the first launch expected in 2025. Rocket Lab's partnership with Lockheed Martin continues to be significant, and the company highlights its commitment to supporting national security.

Positive

• Significant partnership with Lockheed Martin for the Next Gen OPIR program, enhancing national security.
• Successful completion of the critical design review for the satellites, indicating project progress.

Negative

• None.

The solar cell assemblies will power three Lockheed Martin spacecraft designed to provide resilient space-based global missile warning capabilities to meet evolving threats from adversaries under the United States Space Force’s Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next Gen OPIR) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) program

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, announced that its high-efficiency, radiation-hardened Coverglass Interconnected solar Cell (CIC) assemblies will power the three Lockheed Martin Next Gen OPIR GEO (NGG) satellites for the United States Space Force (USSF). The NGG program will deliver resilient global missile warning capabilities to counter emerging missile and counter-space threats and is part of the latest evolution of the USSF’s missile warning system, following the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program, which was supported by SolAero, a space solar power company acquired by Rocket Lab in January 2022.

“We are excited to continue our long-term partnership with Lockheed Martin by powering the Next Gen OPIR GEO satellites,” said Brad Clevenger, Rocket Lab’s Vice President & General Manager, Space Systems Power Solutions. “These satellites are critical to the mission needs of the United States Space Force and our national security, and we are proud to be supporting their production on an aggressive schedule.”

Rocket Lab’s CICs will be integrated into the solar panels and arrays on the Lockheed Martin-designed and built spacecraft. The spacecraft recently successfully passed critical design review, a major milestone in becoming certified for space. The first of the three satellites is scheduled to launch in 2025.

Founded in 1998 and acquired by Rocket Lab in January 2022, Albuquerque, New Mexico-based SolAero has produced solar cells, solar panels, and composite structural products for more than 1,000 successful space missions with 100% reliability. Over the past two decades, SolAero’s products have played key roles in some of the industry’s most ambitious space missions, including supplying power to NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, James Webb Space Telescope, and Mars Insight Lander, as well as several Cygnus Cargo Resupply Missions to the International Space Station.

+ 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, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft 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 and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. 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 148 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 second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational in 2022. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220727005984/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Michael Atchue

m.atchue@rocketlabusa.com

+1 714-613-2072

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

What is Rocket Lab's role in the Next Gen OPIR program?

Rocket Lab is providing high-efficiency, radiation-hardened solar cell assemblies for three Lockheed Martin satellites that are part of the U.S. Space Force's Next Gen OPIR program.

When is the first satellite launch for the Next Gen OPIR program scheduled?

The first of the three satellites is scheduled to launch in 2025.

How does the Next Gen OPIR program enhance missile warning capabilities?

The program aims to deliver resilient global missile warning capabilities to counter emerging missile and counter-space threats.

What milestone was recently achieved by the Lockheed Martin satellites?

The Lockheed Martin satellites recently passed a critical design review.

What company owns SolAero, and what is its significance?

SolAero, acquired by Rocket Lab in January 2022, has a proven track record of providing solar products for over 1,000 space missions.