Rocket Lab said it will acquire Motiv Space Systems, a California-based company specializing in space robotics, motion control systems and precision mechanisms for spacecraft.
The acquisition will advance two strategic objectives for Rocket Lab: it will add Mars-proven robotics heritage and capability for advanced planetary and national security missions, and also closes one of the final gaps in Rocket Lab's vertical integration strategy by bringing in-house costly and supply-constrained spacecraft components, including solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) and other precision mechanisms and motion control systems.
The acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of 2026 subject to the completion of customary closing conditions.
The Motiv acquisition will also bring in-house the design and manufacturing of critical spacecraft mechanisms such as SADAs, antenna and propulsion gimbals, filter wheels, focus mechanisms, and precision drive electronics, completing a key element of Rocket Lab's strategy to manufacture satellites at constellation scale. These precision components are often expensive and supply constrained, creating bottlenecks for companies seeking to build satellite constellations quickly and at scale. By vertically integrating these capabilities Rocket Lab aims to reduce external dependencies, lower costs, accelerate production timelines, and provide greater control over quality and performance for both its own programs and its customers.
Motiv’s team of 50 engineers and technicians will bring deep space robotics knowledge and advanced technical capabilities to Rocket Lab. The company will also gain product assets and manufacturing facilities in Pasadena, California. The site will join Rocket Lab’s existing space manufacturing and development complexes in California, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Arizona, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand.
