Kacey Roberts
Rocket Lab has concluded the preliminary design review for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta program under a previously awarded $515 million contract.
The company said Thursday the PDR completion paves the way for the detailed design phase, during which it will design, integrate, test and commission 18 T2TL-Beta satellites.
The next phase will involve equipping the satellites with Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated subsystems and components, including solar panels, composite structures, star trackers, reaction wheels, radios, flight and ground software, avionics and launch dispensers.
Brad Clevenger, president and CEO of Rocket Lab National Security, commented, “With this achievement, we are one step closer to deploying advanced satellite systems that will strengthen U.S. defense capabilities in space.”
In May 2024, Rocket Lab selected six subcontractors to supply payloads and subsystems for the T2TL-Beta satellites.
