Rocket Lab Completes Motiv Acquisition, Bringing Mars Robotics In House

Rocket Lab completed its acquisition of Motiv Space Systems, which has been renamed Rocket Lab Robotics, bringing more spacecraft hardware and robotics capabilities in house. Motiv’s multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arms, actuators and drive electronics have supported planetary exploration missions including NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover, and the deal also adds spacecraft mechanisms and solar-array systems.

The acquisition expands Rocket Lab’s ability to offer Mars mission systems spanning launch, spacecraft, software and robotics for surface and on-orbit operations. Rocket Lab said the combined capabilities could help it pursue programs such as Mars Sample Return and the Mars Telecommunications Network.