Rocket Lab USA Inc. had a few announcements this month.
First, the Long Beach aerospace company said on April 3 that it was making available an expanded suite of space-grade radio frequency communications systems known as Frontier radios. Next, the company on April 8 introduced its family of customizable, next-generation solar arrays – Standardized Array.
And finally, Rocket Lab was selected to provide hypersonic test launch capability with its HASTE rocket through its participation in two multi-billion-dollar government development programs for the United States and the United Kingdom. The announcement was made on April 14.
Across both programs, Rocket Lab intends to bid for contracts and task orders served by its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) launch vehicle, as well as other engineering, design and launch services.
Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive Sir Peter Beck said that the ability to contribute toward the collective security of the United States and the United Kingdom across both of these programs is “a proud moment” for the HASTE team.
The HASTE rocket is a variation of the company’s Electron and includes much of the same technology as Electron, including carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed engines. But it also has a modified upper kick stage designed for hypersonic tests and larger payload capacity of up to 1,540 pounds.
“Keeping pace with global developments means more affordable tests at a higher rate that expands the boundaries of hypersonic technology – and that’s a capability we’re already providing all in one platform with HASTE, at a commercial price and cadence that serves the mission of both nations,” Beck said in a statement.
Frontier radio for flights
The Frontier radio is flight-proven, software-defined and designed for reliable telemetry, tracking and command. It is adapted from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s Frontier Lite radio.
The radio is designed from the ground up for reliable and secure communications to support any orbit or space environment and have advanced capabilities like ranging waveforms for radiometric navigation. Frontier radios are compact and lightweight.
Brad Clevenger, vice president of Rocket Lab Space Systems, said his team was excited to add the suite of software-defined radios to the company’s expanding portfolio.
“We continue to demonstrate our ability to deliver high reliability, high performance products at constellation scale,” Clevenger said in a statement.
The Frontier Radio was selected last year as an R&D 100 Award winner by R&D World magazine in the IT/Electrical category for innovations pushing the boundaries of research and development.
Solar arrays
The Standardized Array, or STARRAY, can be tailored to meet satellite power requirements ranging from approximately 100 watts to greater than 2,000 watts, by incorporating up to four panels per wing and utilizing Rocket Lab’s solar cells.
“Our objective is to offer the industry mission–specific customization with short lead times and lower costs,” Clevenger said in a statement.
More than 1,100 satellites in-orbit are powered by Rocket Lab’s solar products.
