How Space Software Is Helping Rocket Lab Continue To Grow
Rocket Lab has been very fun to watch over the past few years as they continue to grow and work towards more ambitious ideas. In this time frame, the company has managed to become a leader in small-lift launch vehicle missions thanks to the consistency and performance of Electron. However, Rocket Lab has also managed to become more than just a launch provider as well.
Through the acquisition of multiple different companies over time, Rocket Lab is offering a host of components and features to different customers. This has helped the company become a one stop shop for people looking to reach orbit and beyond. A great example is space software which has to do with the acquisition of ASI not long ago.
This Colorado-based aerospace engineering firm works to deliver mission proven space software, mission simulation, and testing solutions. All of which Rocket Lab knew they could take advantage of and help the company grow at the same time. Here I will go more in-depth into what this service offers and how this works toward Rocket Lab’s long term goal and more.
Acquisition
Back in late 2021, Rocket Lab announced it had completed the acquisition of Advanced Solutions, Inc. (ASI), a Colorado-based aerospace engineering firm delivering mission proven space software, mission simulation and test systems, and Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) solutions, for $40 million plus the potential for an additional $5.5 million performance earnout based on CY 2021 results. ASI’s industry-leading advances in flight software, mission simulation, and GNC significantly strengthen Rocket Lab’s Space Systems portfolio, which encompasses the Photon spacecraft line and a growing suite of spacecraft hardware solutions, including those brought to the portfolio through the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary in April 2020.
Back at the time of the acquisition, Peter Beck highlighted that “Both Rocket Lab and ASI have built leading space businesses with mission proven technology and have a shared vision of making it easier to get to space and do incredible things there, so we’re excited to welcome ASI aboard to further enhance our space systems portfolio and deliver enhanced end-to-end space solutions,”. “The ASI team revolutionized flight software and have enabled some of the most significant space exploration missions. For more than 20 years they have been delivering industry-first, off-the-shelf spacecraft flight software products that enable cost-effective and highly capable constellation and interplanetary missions. By joining forces, we believe it will have a transformative effect on the way spacecraft are designed, built, tested, launched, and operated, further unlocking space’s potential.”
“We’ve found a great fit with Rocket Lab and we’re thrilled to be teaming up with them to continue making space faster, easier, and more affordable,” said John Cuseo, ASI Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “The two companies complement each other very well. By coming together, we will continue to serve our customers and innovate in our areas of expertise, including space software and GNC, but now with more rocket fuel in the tank to play with. We look forward to also becoming an integral part of Rocket Lab’s Space Systems business, supporting Photon missions, satellite components, and space and ground software.”
ASI’s team of almost 60 people continues to be led by John Cuseo in Colorado, enabling Rocket Lab to grow its presence within the nation’s second-largest aerospace economy and home to cutting-edge space programs, military commands and renowned research laboratories and universities. In addition, the ASI team is still serving its existing customer base, while leveraging the ability to scale by tapping into Rocket Lab’s resources, team, and technology. Founded in 1995, ASI has developed an industry-leading suite of software and technology solutions for reliable space mission design and operation. Its off-the-shelf spacecraft flight software, MAX, has been operating across more than 45 spacecraft for a cumulative 135 years in space. ASI’s customers include leading aerospace prime contractors, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. DOD organizations, NASA, and commercial spacecraft developers including several of the exciting new space start-ups. The ASI team have supported some of the most ambitious Earth, interplanetary, and human spaceflight missions flown. These missions have explored distant planets, connected people on Earth, and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in space. Now, ASI’s engineers and space software products are enabling a wide variety of missions with speed, capability, and reliability.
The Software & ASI
Now that we know more about the acquisition and Rocket Lab’s intentions, we can take a closer look at ASI and the software they offer. Founded in 1995, ASI describes they have always been focused on developing technology that revolutionizes the way spacecraft are designed, built, tested, and operated. They recognized two decades ago that Flight Software and GN&C, more than any other subsystems, have the unique ability to impact rapid progress at all stages of a spacecraft program. ASI developed an industry-first, commercial off-the-shelf spacecraft flight software product that is enabling cost-effective and highly-capable constellation and interplanetary missions. The ASI MAX Flight Software is a full-featured flight software suite that can be adapted to a wide variety of spacecraft designs, payloads, and mission requirements. MAX has been widely adopted and is flying on over 35 successful missions, and they continuously integrate features and lessons learned from this experience to provide a Flight Software and Simulation product experience enabling mission success for all.
In terms of the software itself, Rocket Lab now offers three main options including SOLIS, MAX Flight Software, and MAX Ground Data System. SOLIS is a complete spacecraft simulation environment in STK.
It rapidly evaluates system trade-offs and ensures that spacecraft capabilities and constraints are considered early and satisfied at all times. They describe this hardware as configurable, powerful, versatile, and integrated. This includes easy configuration for nearly any spacecraft design, providing rapid access to high-fidelity simulation and analysis. Powered by MAX and ODySSy, SOLIS users interact with real high-heritage Flight Software, resulting in a true “simulate like you fly” experience throughout the entire life cycle. Whether you’re exploring spacecraft design in Concept Development or testing a new Ground System for Operations, SOLIS is intended to help. Lastly, as an integrated tool with STK, SOLIS provides a common place for spacecraft engineers to focus on overall mission success.
Next is Max Flight Software. The MAX Tool Suite includes MAX Flight Software, ODySSy, Sequencer, and the DevTool. These tools provide an out-of-the-box solution to meet the demands of modern space endeavors. This software features off-the-shelf flight software that supports a wide range of missions and all spacecraft subsystems including command and telemetry, sequencing, GNC, fault protection, built-in closed loop simulation, and more. They point out that it’s targeted and adapted to a wide variety of
spacecraft designs, payloads, mission requirements, and hardware architectures. The MAX DevTool with auto-code generation works to enable timelines from program start to launch measured in months. In terms of money, More than any other spacecraft subsystem, MAX Flight Software has the unique ability to enable rapid program-wide progress while significantly reducing costs. MAX’s digital mission engineering framework allows programs to accelerate their timelines by starting with a feature rich software foundation. Finally, with over a century in space and 50 plus successful missions, MAX reduces risk and increases responsiveness. Proven on a wide variety of missions including government programs, interplanetary spacecraft, and rapidly developed commercial constellations.
The third main software offered is MAX Ground Data Systems or MAX GDS. Developed to support the entire spacecraft lifecycle, MAX GDS is a ground software solution that provides complete spacecraft command and control for all spacecraft and constellations. The command and control platform is built on an optimized data-streaming core, proven multi-mission database and rich displays, providing quick insight into assets and in flight. In addition, leveraged during the entire spacecraft life cycle from simulation through AI&T and to on-orbit operations providing a test as you fly approach to operations. All of which highlights what this acquisition offers different customers that Rocket Lab now also has access to.
Conclusion
Rocket Lab has been very busy over the past few years and especially in recent months. During this time we have watched the company continue to launch Electron and begin development for future ambitious launch options like Neutron. In addition to this, the company has also been acquiring different companies as they try to expand what Rocket Lab can offer and more. We will have to wait and see how it progresses and the impact it has on the space industry.
