A bold, strategic move toward Rocket Lab operating its own constellation and delivering services from space, Flatellite is the next strategic step in the Company’s ultimate vision as an end-to-end space company.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc, a leading launch and space systems company, today introduced Flatellite, a new satellite that can be produced in high volumes and tailored for large constellations, targeting high value applications and national security missions.

A scalable, long-life, high-power, stackable satellite, Flatellite enables secure, low-latency, high-speed connectivity and remote sensing capability for national security, defense, and commercial markets. Flatellite employs a low-profile, stackable structure to maximize the number of satellites that can be deployed per launch and has seamless integration with Rocket Lab’s own Neutron rocket.

Flatellite is the culmination of a very deliberate and strategic approach, through both acquisitions and organic product development, to become a uniquely vertically integrated satellite manufacturer. Flatellite integrates Rocket Lab’s heritage components and subsystems, including propulsion, flight software, avionics, reaction wheels, star trackers, separation system, solar arrays, radios, composite structures, fuel tanks, and more. This approach enables rapid, high-volume production of Flatellite without compromising performance or reliability.

“The need for large, reliable satellite constellations continues to grow across defense and commercial markets. The industry is hungry for versatile satellites that are affordable and built fast in high volumes. This is why we created Flatellite,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck. “Flatellite is more than just a new product developed to serve our customers’ ever-evolving needs. It’s a bold, strategic move toward completing the final step in Rocket Lab’s ultimate vision of being a truly end-to-end space company, operating its own constellation and delivering services from space. By having our own rides to space with Neutron and Electron and being able to build our own spacecraft in high volumes, we’re at a distinct advantage when it comes to deploying constellations with speed and cost-efficiency.”

Flatellite Key Features:

• Payload Flexibility: Ideal for high operational duty cycle telecommunications, as well as remote sensing applications.
• High Launch Efficiency: Stackable design maximizes the number of satellites launched per mission, with seamless integration with Neutron.
• High Performance, Reliable Yet Cost-Effective: Provides reliable, long-life performance, including high-power capability, while remaining cost effective due to rapid mass production enabled by extensive vertical integration with flight proven components.
• Secure Software: Incorporates Rocket Lab’s cyber-secure MAX Constellation flight software and InterMission ground software for enhanced cyber security to meet the needs of national security customers and other security conscious application operators.

Flatellite joins Rocket Lab’s family of four standard high-performance spacecraft models that enable commercial, science, exploration, and defense missions, all of which are manufactured the Company’s Spacecraft Production Complex and headquarters in Long Beach, California. Rocket Lab currently has more than 40 spacecraft in backlog spanning a range of complex missions for commercial, civil and national security customers.

Source: BUSINESS WIRE