24/7 Space News
TECH SPACE
Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Line: Bridging Missions from LEO to Deep Space
Explorer gained flight heritage during the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon (pictured) for NASA and forms the basis of the twin spacecraft Rocket Lab is developing for the ESCAPADE mission to Mars for NASA and the University of California, Berkeley.
Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Line: Bridging Missions from LEO to Deep Space
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 28, 2024

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) has announced its expanded family of spacecraft buses, a culmination of over four years dedicated to advancing its space systems capabilities. This development signifies a strategic enhancement in Rocket Lab's offering to the space sector, aligning with the diverse needs of its clientele across various missions.

Peter Beck, Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, emphasized the company's response to customer demands, "Our development, launch, and operation of spacecraft for a wide customer base revealed a consistent requirement: the need for spacecraft that are reliable, capable, and can be constructed quickly and economically. Starting with Photon, we've now broadened our family of spacecraft to address these needs through a line that combines high performance with scalability."

This family of spacecraft leverages common components and subsystems, reflecting Rocket Lab's commitment to in-house design and manufacturing. These elements include carbon composite structures, star trackers, reaction wheels, solar arrays, radios, and avionics.

Brad Clevenger, Vice President Space Systems at Rocket Lab, explained the company's approach, "Our vertical integration strategy allows for the swift, economic, and dependable delivery of spacecraft. This strategy balances commonality for cost-effective and rapid production while ensuring the spacecraft can be tailored to the specific demands of varied missions."

The lineup comprises four spacecraft, each designed for specific mission profiles:

- Photon: A cornerstone in Rocket Lab's offerings, serving as an integrated launch-plus-spacecraft solution for a broad range of missions in low Earth orbit.

- Lightning: Tailored for a 12+ year operational life in LEO, offering high power and radiation tolerance, suitable for telecommunications and remote sensing.

- Pioneer: A versatile medium delta-V platform accommodating payloads up to 120 kg for unique missions, including re-entry and dynamic space operations.

- Explorer: Designed for deep-space missions, equipped with large propellant tanks and avionics capable of navigating to Mars, Venus, the Moon, and beyond.

In support of this spacecraft family, Rocket Lab has invested in a state-of-the-art development and manufacturing complex at its Long Beach headquarters. The facility, equipped with extensive cleanroom and production spaces, is poised to meet the demands of commercial, civil, and national security customers.

With over 40 satellites awaiting production, Rocket Lab's introduction of its spacecraft family stands to significantly influence the space industry. This move not only enhances Rocket Lab's product range but also solidifies its position as a key provider of versatile and reliable space systems, ready to facilitate a myriad of missions from satellite constellation deployment to exploration of the solar system.

Related Links
Rocket Lab
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Experimental orbital services vehicle Optimus set for launch
Adelaide, Australia (SPX) Feb 27, 2024
The Space Machines Company has announced the completion of Optimus, Australia's largest-ever private satellite. This Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV) represents a significant leap in Australia's sovereign space capabilities, poised to provide critical life-extension services, inspections, and assistance to the existing space infrastructure. Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines, highlighted the collaborative effort behind Optimus, emphasizing the years of dedicated work from engineers, scientist ... read more

TECH SPACE
Under pressure - space exploration in our time

SpaceX set to launch new crew to ISS

Virgin Galactic Marks 11th Spaceflight with Full Passenger Manifest

International Crew Prepares for Launch to ISS Aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon

TECH SPACE
MITRE and MDC team up to advance at Midland Spaceport

China plans record 100 space launches in 2024, including lunar and station missions

Stratolaunch conducts second captive carry flight of Hypersonic Vehicle TA-1

Blue Origin prepares New Glenn for maiden launch

TECH SPACE
Three years later, search for life on Mars continues

Mining Into Mineral King: Sols 4110-4111

Confirmation of ancient lake on Mars builds excitement for Perseverance rover's samples

NASA helicopter's mission ends after three years on Mars

TECH SPACE
Chang'e 6 and new rockets highlight China's packed 2024 space agenda

Long March 5 deploys Communication Technology Demonstrator 11 satellite

BIT advances microbiological research on Chinese Space Station

Shenzhou 18 and 19 crews undertake intensive training for next missions

TECH SPACE
Multi-Orbit Strategy Takes Flight as Avanti and Telesat Sign Groundbreaking MOU

SKorea enhances military operations with Iridium connectivity

SSSIF 2024 draws record attendance as Europe's 'New Space' sector grows rapidly

LeoLabs names Tony Frazier as CEO to expand its role in global space operations

TECH SPACE
NASA shutters $2B satellite refueling project, blames contractor for delays

Rocket Lab's Spacecraft Line: Bridging Missions from LEO to Deep Space

Experimental orbital services vehicle Optimus set for launch

Proba-3 Mission Prepares for Precision Formation Flying with Laser Metrology Tests

TECH SPACE
UC Irvine-led team unravels mysteries of planet formation and evolution in distant solar system

NASA's Hubble Finds Water Vapor in Small Exoplanet's Atmosphere

Passing Stars Altered Orbital Changes in Earth, Other Planets

Scientists Unveil Free-Floating Planetary Giants in the Orion Nebula

TECH SPACE
New moons of Uranus and Neptune announced

NASA's New Horizons Detects Dusty Hints of Extended Kuiper Belt

NASA invites public to dive into Juno's Spectacular Images of Io

Europa Clipper gears up with full instrument suite onboard

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.