Two Electrons on the pad at Launch Complex 1 in February 2022. Photo: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is working with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) for a new global ground station service for Rocket Lab’s launch customers. 

KSAT is currently the sole provider of ground station services for Rocket Lab’s missions. In advance of the first launch of Rocket Lab’s next rocket Neutron and missions for Varda Space Industries that will return to Earth, Rocket Lab is working with KSAT to co-engineer a new satellite communications service that meets the requirements of these future missions. 

The expanded satellite communications service now available to KSAT’s and Rocket Lab’s customers includes unique antenna tracking features for complex mission designs across a global ground station network of more than 200 antennas. This includes real-time telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C); extended monitoring, control, and data acquisition capabilities in S-band, X-band, and Ka-band; and automated ground station scheduling for satellite passes. 

KSAT said this service will provide seamless and reliable communications for launch customers. 

“This upgraded satellite communications service for Electron and Neutron launches and across our various spacecraft streamlines our customers’ missions and simplifies their access to space/ Satellite operators can outsource their satellite operations and communications to us, allowing them to focus on their mission at hand rather than having to build and operate their own ground station infrastructure,” commented Richard French, Rocket Lab’s vice president of Business Development and Strategy.