Rocket Lab Unveils New Satellite Software for Ground Data, Spacecraft Operations, and Constellation Management

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) has unveiled two new software platforms: InterMission and MAX Constellation, enhancing its space systems capabilities. These platforms build on the company's extensive experience, backed by over 250 cumulative years of on-orbit flight heritage.

InterMission is a ground data and space operations platform designed for mission monitoring, telemetry recording, and real-time spacecraft tracking. It features enhanced security measures including encryption and role-based access control.

MAX Constellation evolves from Rocket Lab's proven MAX Flight Software, offering improved performance and cybersecurity for constellation-class programs. It includes ODySSy, a digital twin platform for spacecraft simulation. Both software suites are available for the Beyond Gravity Constellation On-Board Computer, providing an integrated solution for satellite operations.

The company's flight software has been utilized in various high-profile missions, including NASA's CAPSTONE, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost 1, and DARPA's Blackjack Program.

Positive

• Expansion of product portfolio with two new software platforms
• Proven track record with 250+ years of cumulative on-orbit flight heritage
• Strategic partnerships with major government and commercial clients
• Integration capability with Beyond Gravity's Constellation On-Board Computer

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace Software Specialist

Rocket Lab's introduction of InterMission and MAX Constellation software suites represents a strategic expansion of their capabilities beyond launch services into the higher-margin space operations software market. This move addresses the growing complexity of managing satellite constellations - a critical challenge as space becomes increasingly crowded and commercialized.

The technical specifications reveal sophisticated offerings: InterMission provides real-time spacecraft monitoring, telemetry recording, and robust security features including encryption and role-based access control. MAX Constellation builds on Rocket Lab's proven MAX Flight Software (with 250+ cumulative years of on-orbit heritage) to deliver enhanced automation and cybersecurity specifically designed for constellation operations.

Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of ODySSy, a digital twin platform that enables high-fidelity simulations of spacecraft components and environments. This capability significantly reduces operational risk by allowing operators to test scenarios in a virtual environment before implementation on actual space assets - a critical advantage for complex missions.

The software's proven track record on high-profile programs including NASA's CAPSTONE lunar mission, DARPA's Blackjack Program, and commercial missions for companies like Firefly Aerospace and Varda Space Industries demonstrates its reliability in demanding applications. The collaboration with Beyond Gravity to create an integrated solution combining avionics, flight software, and ground operations shows Rocket Lab's commitment to simplifying customer implementation challenges.

For investors, this development indicates Rocket Lab's evolution toward becoming a full-service space company, expanding its addressable market beyond launch services. While no financial projections are provided, this product expansion aligns with the industry trend toward vertical integration and positions Rocket Lab to capture more value across the entire mission lifecycle.

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 InterMission and MAX Constellation, two next-generation software suites that build on successful missions to the Moon and beyond to deliver advanced autonomy, security, and scalability for complex space missions and constellation operations. The new platforms were introduced at the SATELLITE conference in Washington, D.C.

Backed by over 250 cumulative years of on-orbit flight heritage, Rocket Lab’s proven space software powers every stage of a mission—from launch and spacecraft commissioning to operations and data management. The Company’s flight software has been used on commercial and government programs like NASA’s CAPSTONE mission, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1, Varda Space Industries’ W 1 and W 2 series missions, DARPA’s Blackjack Program, and more.

With InterMission and MAX Constellation, Rocket Lab expands its end-to-end space systems capabilities, delivering robust tools for modern mission demands. InterMission is Rocket Lab’s new ground data and space operations platform built for demanding missions and scalable to full constellations. Designed to maximize performance and autonomy, InterMission empowers users to monitor their spacecraft in real-time and record telemetry, unlocking mission insights through custom data transformations and staying informed with tailored alarms and notifications. With security at its core, InterMission integrates encryption, user authentication, and role-based access control to safeguard mission-critical data.

MAX Constellation is an evolution of Rocket Lab’s MAX Flight Software, the industry-leader in on-board software that has been proven in every orbit and to the surface of the moon. MAX Constellation builds on this success by delivering enhanced performance, automation, and cybersecurity for constellation-class programs. MAX Constellation includes ODySSy, Rocket Lab’s powerful digital twin platform, providing high-fidelity simulations of spacecraft components, dynamics, and environments.

MAX Constellation and InterMission are also available for the Beyond Gravity Constellation On-Board Computer (cOBC), a collaborative offering that simplifies satellite operations as an off-the-shelf integrated solution combining avionics, flight software, and ground operations in one package.

“InterMission and MAX Constellation strengthen Rocket Lab’s industry-leading space software suite, giving our customers the tools to optimize performance, reduce risk, and maximize mission success,” said Brad Clevenger, Vice President, Rocket Lab Space Systems.

Learn more about Rocket Lab’s space software capabilities: Space Software | Rocket Lab

+ 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 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 more than 200 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 spacecraft platforms 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, 2024, 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/20250312346548/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Lindsay McLaurin

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key features of Rocket Lab's new InterMission software platform?

InterMission offers real-time spacecraft monitoring, telemetry recording, custom data transformations, and security features including encryption and role-based access control.

How does MAX Constellation enhance RKLB's existing flight software capabilities?

MAX Constellation builds on MAX Flight Software by adding enhanced performance, automation, cybersecurity, and includes ODySSy digital twin platform for spacecraft simulation.

Which major missions have used Rocket Lab's flight software?

The software has been used in NASA's CAPSTONE mission, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost 1, Varda Space Industries' W series missions, and DARPA's Blackjack Program.

What is the flight heritage behind RKLB's new software platforms?

The software platforms are backed by over 250 cumulative years of on-orbit flight heritage across various commercial and government programs.