Rocket Lab Debuts Star Tracker with Better Than 1 Arcsecond Accuracy and 50 kRad Tolerance
Rocket Lab unveiled the High-Performance Star Tracker (ST-HP) featuring better than 1 arcsecond pointing accuracy and over 50 kRad board-level Total Irradiation Dose tolerance for extended low Earth orbit missions. The unit builds on 185 flight-proven trackers and leverages in-house production across US, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.
1. Product Specifications
Rocket Lab’s new High-Performance Star Tracker (ST-HP) delivers a targeted pointing accuracy of better than 1 arcsecond and sustains performance beyond 50 kRad of board-level Total Irradiation Dose, addressing radiation challenges for long-duration low Earth orbit and deep space missions.
2. Proven Heritage and Scalability
Building on more than 185 units launched to date, the ST-HP combines flight-proven expertise with advanced radiation hardening to offer a low-cost, scalable solution that can be rapidly manufactured without compromising reliability or performance.
3. Integrated Manufacturing Footprint
The tracker is designed and built entirely in-house at Rocket Lab facilities across the United States, Canada, Germany and New Zealand, utilizing thermal chambers, vibration rigs, X-ray inspection and clean-room environments to support every stage of development and qualification.
4. Strategic Implications
This expanded star tracker capability strengthens Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated space systems portfolio, complementing its reaction wheels, separation systems and other satellite components to enhance its competitive positioning in commercial and government space markets.