Mission Overview
Rocket Lab has announced plans to fly its Photon spacecraft in 2027 to evaluate connectivity with the US Space Force's Space Data Network.
The Photon vehicle, already used for a variety of customer missions, will be placed in low Earth orbit to exchange data with the network.
The Space Data Network consists of ground stations and satellite relays built and operated by SpaceX to provide secure, high‑bandwidth communications for military and civilian users.
During the test, telemetry, command and control signals, and payload data will be exchanged between Photon and the network to measure technical compatibility and latency.
A successful outcome would demonstrate that commercial spacecraft can be seamlessly integrated into military communications architectures, paving the way for future joint missions.
The experiment is part of a broader Space Force effort to leverage commercial technology for more resilient space systems.
Rocket Lab intends to launch the mission on one of its Electron rockets from its New Zealand launch complex, although a specific launch date has not yet been set.