Insider Brief:
- Rocket Lab has finalized its selection of subcontractors to supply payloads and ground systems for the 18 satellites the company is building for the Space Development Agency (SDA).
- Under a $515 million USD firm-fixed-price contract, Rocket Lab will lead the design, development, manufacturing, testing, and operation of the satellites for SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta (T2TL – Beta).
- The selected subcontractors include CesiumAstro, Mynaric, SEAKR Engineering, Collins Aerospace, Redwire Space, and Parsons Corporation.
Rocket Lab announced the finalized selection of subcontractors to supply payloads and ground systems for the 18 satellites the company is building for the Space Development Agency (SDA).
Under a $515 million USD firm-fixed-price contract, Rocket Lab will lead the design, development, manufacturing, testing, and operation of the satellites for SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta (T2TL – Beta), part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). This initiative aims to establish a multi-layered low-Earth orbit satellite constellation for secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The satellites, developed by Rocket Lab, will incorporate various in-house subsystems, including solar panels, structural components, star trackers, reaction wheels, radios, flight software, avionics, and launch dispensers. Rocket Lab, as the primary contractor, is also responsible for managing the procurement and integration of payloads and other subsystems.
The selected subcontractors include:
– CesiumAstro will provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array (AESA) radio frequency (RF) communications payload, known as the first multi-beam-capable Ka-band communications system for SDA’s PWSA.
– Mynaric will supply CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals, enhancing free space optical communications for air, space, and mobile applications.
– SEAKR Engineering will offer its Tactical Satellite Communications (TACSATCOM) Software Defined Radio (SDR) and Network Encryption System (NES).
– Collins Aerospace is set to deliver the waveform necessary for the SDR, essential software and firmware for TACSATCOM’s transmission and reception.
– Redwire Space has been chosen for its expertise in antennas and RF hardware.
– Parsons Corporation will provide the NEBULA Operations – Vendor Architecture (NOVA), serving as Rocket Lab’s ground system for the operational management of 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.”
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