Rocket Lab introduces Responsive Space Program

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. is introducing a Responsive Space Program designed to on-ramp commercial and government satellite operators to the Company’s 24/7 rapid call-up launch capability and streamlined satellite build and operation options.

“Satellites are vulnerable to natural degradation, accidents, technical failure, and deliberate actions,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “In today’s dynamic environment, the ability to establish new technologies on orbit is also crucial to provide time-critical insights to Earth observation and space domain awareness missions.

“We recognize our customers need a reliable responsive launch service and dependable satellite solutions that can promptly and accurately restore or establish assets on orbit, so we’ve made that possible with Electron and Rocket Lab-designed and -built satellites, including Photon,” he added.

Responsive launch capability was baked into the design of Electron and the company’s launch sites from day one, and Rocket Lab has made strategic investments into vertical spacecraft manufacturing to enable this.

“Now we’re bringing the capability under a dedicated Responsive Space Program to make it easier for our customers to access bespoke responsive space services,” Peter Beck said

Through the Responsive Space Program, Rocket Lab works directly with satellite operators to understand their mission requirements, which may be dedicated rapid call-up launch, satellite design, build and integration, spacecraft operations, or all of the above. From arrival at the launch site, payload integration, encapsulation and launch can be completed in as little as 24 hours.

Rocket Lab’s ability to deliver responsive space is underpinned by four key aspects:

• Responsive Rockets: Electron is designed for standardized, rapid production. A new Electron launch vehicle rolls off Rocket Lab’s production line on average every 30 days. Between this high production rate and available launch vehicles on standby, a rocket can be assigned a payload for launch on demand in days.
• Responsive Launch Sites: Rocket Lab operates three launch pads across two hemispheres, ensuring a pad is always available to support rapid call-up launch, even as planned launch operations continue in parallel on other pads. Between Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand and Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, USA, Rocket Lab can reach a wide range of orbits from 37 to 100 degrees. As the world’s only private orbital launch site, Launch Complex 1 also offers Rocket Lab complete launch schedule assurance as the range is not shared with other launch providers and does not rely on federal range assets. Both launch sites are supported by range control facilities, dedicated payload processing cleanrooms, and Electron integration facilities to enable streamlined integration and launch. Electron is supported by a global network of ground stations.
• Responsive Satellites: Rocket Lab believes it can design, manufacture, launch and operate configurable satellites tailored to each customers’ mission. These satellites can be built and kept in a state of launch readiness, awaiting integration with the customer payload and launched on demand, either on Electron or alternative launch vehicles. By producing these vital subsystems in-house, the company boasts a high degree of supply chain certainty and rapid production timelines.
• Responsive Personnel: Having deployed more than 140 satellites to orbit across 27 missions, Electron has become the second most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket. This deep heritage has resulted in streamlined, proven launch systems and processes that the company’s team can execute rapidly and reliably.