Rocket Lab Corporation announced on October 23 2025 that it has completed the Systems Integration Review (SIR) and finished building the Photon spacecraft for Eta Space’s LOXSAT mission, a partnership with NASA. The SIR, completed in September, cleared the spacecraft for payload integration and marks the first time Rocket Lab has delivered a fully integrated platform for a cryogenic fluid‑management demonstration. LOXSAT will test a zero‑loss liquid‑oxygen storage system that will inform the design of a future Cryo‑Dock propellant depot expected to be operational in 2030.
The Photon spacecraft, built on Rocket Lab’s proven platform, incorporates the company’s vertically integrated components—star trackers, propulsion, reaction wheels, solar panels, radios, composite structures, and tanks—demonstrating Rocket Lab’s capability to provide both launch vehicle and spacecraft for complex missions. The LOXSAT mission, selected in 2020, will launch on an Electron rocket in early 2026 and will validate the technology needed for on‑orbit refueling, a critical step toward reusable and sustainable deep‑space exploration. By delivering this spacecraft, Rocket Lab expands its service portfolio beyond small‑satellite launches into the emerging cryogenic propellant market.
The milestone positions Rocket Lab to capture a new revenue stream from future Cryo‑Dock depots and related services, potentially opening a high‑margin market for orbital refueling. It also strengthens the company’s end‑to‑end value proposition, making it a single‑point partner for customers requiring both launch and spacecraft integration. The successful completion of the SIR and spacecraft build signals that Rocket Lab’s integrated manufacturing and systems engineering processes are maturing, reducing time‑to‑market for future missions.
Following the SIR, Rocket Lab will move the LOXSAT spacecraft into environmental testing, the next phase before launch. The company has scheduled the Electron launch for early 2026, aligning with the mission’s timeline and the broader industry push toward orbital refueling infrastructure. This progression underscores Rocket Lab’s commitment to advancing space‑systems technology and expanding its commercial footprint in the growing cryogenic propellant sector.
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