Rocket Lab USA Inc. has acquired space software maker Advanced Solutions Inc. to boost growth of its space systems business
Long Beach, California-based Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) said it paid $40 million and will potentially pay an additional $5.5 million performance earnout based on 2021 results.
Advanced Solutions (ASI) is a Colorado-based aerospace engineering firm focused on space software, mission simulation and test systems, and guidance, navigation and control (GNC) products. Rocket Lab said ASI’s technology significantly strengthen its space systems portfolio, which encompasses the Photon spacecraft line and a growing suite of spacecraft hardware, including those from the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary in April 2020.
ASI’s nearly 60 employees will continue to be led by John Cuseo in Colorado. ASI will continue to serve its existing customers, while having the ability to scale by tapping into Rocket Lab’s resources, team, and technology, Rocket Lab said.
“Both Rocket Lab and ASI have built leading space businesses with mission proven technology and have a shared vision of making it easier to get to space and do incredible things there, so we’re excited to welcome ASI aboard to further enhance our space systems portfolio and deliver enhanced end-to-end space solutions," Rocket Lab Founder and Chief Executive Peter Beck said in a statement. “By joining forces, we believe it will have a transformative effect on the way spacecraft are designed, built, tested, launched, and operated, further unlocking space’s potential.”
Founded in 1995, ASI has developed a spacecraft flight software MAX, which has been operating across more than 45 spacecraft for a total 135 years in space. The company’s customers include leading aerospace prime contractors, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Defense organizations, NASA and commercial spacecraft developers and space start-ups.
