Rocket Lab Just Built a Space Robot

It's been less than six months since space company Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) bought space robotics start-up Motiv Space Systems. The acquisition is already paying off for Rocket Lab.

On Friday, Rocket Lab announced that Motiv -- now known as Rocket Lab Robotics -- will debut its new autonomous robotic arm on a NASA Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) technology demonstration mission in late 2027. Flying aboard a spacecraft in low earth orbit, the robot arm will move across a spacecraft in zero gravity and install a component, demonstrating its ability to manipulate objects and perform repairs and upgrades in space.

A successful demonstration, says Rocket Lab, will open the door to "follow-on missions, from building orbital infrastructure to supporting deep-space exploration." It may also open the gate to a new revenue stream for Rocket Lab.

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