Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) has confirmed the successful deployment of eight advanced satellite platforms built for MDA Space (TSX: MDA; NYSE: MDA), marking a significant milestone in the expansion of Globalstar’s (NASDAQ: GSAT) constellation.
The eight satellites lifted off on August 15 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 9:12 p.m. ET, reaching orbit without incident.
Rocket Lab has made contact with all eight satellites and confirmed that each is performing nominally and generating power on orbit.
Spacecraft commissioning has now begun to prepare the satellites to extend reliable mobile satellite services to customers globally as part of Globalstar’s existing network.
The launch represents the first batch of a 17-platform constellation Rocket Lab is building for MDA Space under a $143 million contract.
MDA Space is serving as the prime contractor for the replenishment of Globalstar’s existing constellation, which provides direct-to-device communications services and IoT applications from orbit.
The 500kg satellite platforms are a tailored version of Rocket Lab’s standard Lightning platform, built and tested at the company’s headquarters in Long Beach, California.
Key in-house components include solar arrays, reaction wheels, flight and ground software, parts of the avionics suite, and Telemetry, Tracking and Command radios, reflecting Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated manufacturing approach.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said: “Our satellite platforms are a powerful demonstration of Rocket Lab’s capabilities brought to life. From spacecraft platform design, build, testing, and on-orbit operations, we’re executing across the entire mission lifecycle and our approach is delivering the speed, reliability, and agility that competitive direct-to-device constellations like this one demand.”
Beck added: “With our scaled manufacturing, operational expertise, and vertically integrated satellite platforms that bring cost and schedule under control, we’re positioned to be the partner of choice for the constellation economy and proud to have supported this deployment for MDA Space and its customer Globalstar.”
The Lightning platform is currently in production for several other high-profile missions, including a recently awarded space domain awareness program with the U.S. Space Force.
Rocket Lab is also producing Lightning platforms for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta and Tranche 3 Tracking Layer constellations, underscoring the platform’s growing role in national security space programs.
The successful deployment reinforces Rocket Lab’s position as a full-spectrum space systems provider, spanning launch, spacecraft manufacturing, and on-orbit operations across commercial and government markets.
